I know, when you lose something important to you, one of the best ways to get over it is to accentuate the negative- dwell on the things that weren't great, that you won't miss.
I look back on Amber's 26 years...
I remember how impatient she was to grow up. By the time she was in 3rd grade, she was getting herself up and ready for school on time. I remember when one of her friends changed schools because of a bullying problem, and I asked her about it- of course she was the smallest in her class- and she laughed and and said "Mom, I am the bullies worst nightmare!" I remember how she always thought about what I said, and how she always gave in to my puppy dog face and whimpers when I wanted her to do something.
I used to say that there was no joy like a ticklish child- in the letter she wrote me in high school, she said she could have stopped being ticklish years before, but she knew it would disappoint me, and we had such fun. She would "EEEP!" when you tickled her unawares- Zach (her first boyfriend) was quite entranced when he discovered he could eeep her.
I remember nervous times- gymnastics is not a sport for the faint of heart- getting called to the gym because she slipped and went under the horse instead of over it, or missed the high bar and fell on her neck... taking her to the emergency room  and the doctor being impressed by her stoicism as he noted the probably cracked ribs and other contusions- and when she left, he tried to shake her hand, and she winced away. He looked at her and she said, "Don't ask". She had stoved 2 fingers.
What she wanted, she worked for with her whole heart. Her self will and determination were awesome. She was only a gymnast for 5 years, yet she was the level 9 all around PA state champion for 16 and older at the end of her junior year- she loved it, and she gave it up because architecture was more important, and she was realist enough to know she couldn't do both. That summer we started looking at colleges, and a lot of them wanted a portfolio. She hadn't taken art since middle school. Shading was mystery to her- that summer I taught her basic drawing, shading, perspective- now it is her art I hope to sell to benefit her scholarship fund.
Dredge as I might, there are no negatives. No drama, no fights- even going back- and back. She was always there for me, and she knew I was always there for her.

Amber loved her life, her friends, her work, and her city. She worked to excel in everything she did, not because she wanted to beat anyone, but to simply do her best. She made everyone around her happier. She was green, from second hand stores to public transit. She didn’t have a TV by choice. She read, she cooked and baked, she did art, was on a pool league that had just won a championship. Her architecture designs were green, thoughtful, impressive. 

Amber was a little person who lived big. She had a big heart, an old soul, a passionate nature and a bright side viewpoint. She had a discipline and determination learned from gymnastics that she applied to every part of her life. Amber never expected things to come to her freely- she worked hard for what she had. She cared deeply for the people in her life. She gave great hugs. Her job was joyous to her, architecture was her dream, but even when she was cleaning houses, she was always willing, always there, cheerful and just as determined to do her very best. She lived on her own, keeping a lovely, sunny apartment with lots of houseplants spotless, doing intricate pen and ink drawings; award winning sustainable architectural designs; billiards practice and competition; and always made time for her personal relationships. She shared her eclectic love of music with all who would listen. She was short, sweet, funny and fun. She was the most alive person I knew.

Amber was shot for a second hand purse and died January 19th, 2014.

Amber will be remembered by us forever, her smile, energy, passion, and thirst for life. Forever missed. And for all the good she could have done, with her bright inquisitive mind, her passion for sustainable design and her practical determination to make the world a better place - who knows what she could have done?

Please leave your fondest memories of Amber below!