Throughout our lifetime the person we see as a best friend takes on many different faces, some stick around and help us shape us into the person we are meant to be; some exit our lives just as quickly as they entered.

We are able to identify the special ones right away. Let me tell you about my best friend. My best friend entered my life at a point when I needed hope the most. Love and faith entered my life again when I first laid eyes on Allison. She is my soul mate, the other person with the key to my heart.

She is my phoenix. Someone so special, and amazing that many believe to be a creature of myth.  She began her life fighting a battle to be strong and survive, a battle just to live; she rose from the fires of sickness and above them to be reborn. She is a warrior. She has such a fiery spirit, I hope this fire never dims.

My best friend is my seven-year-old niece. She is a miracle baby. Her gestation was unknown, so she literally was an unexpected gift of hope when it was needed the most.My Allison is the most beautiful creature to ever grace this earth. Her huge, hopeful eyes warm you to the depths of your soul.  She has a smile; so powerful, that on the days when life has beaten you down it can erase whatever ails have caused you to frown. At seven-years she is wise beyond her years. With just a single glance into your eyes, she can read you like an open book. If you’re ever feeling down, she takes it upon herself to make sure your day turns around by gracing you with her signature smirk and giggle. I look at Allison and I am reminded of all the good that exists in this world. When her laughter is ringing in my ears, I am reminded of my grandmother and her precious smile and kind heart. Allison, is a mirror image of her kind soul.

To Miss Allison, I thank you for making me smile when all I wanted to do was cry. Thank you for the comfort of your understanding, your patience and your grace. Thank you for your one of a kind laugh. For your humor, kindness, intelligence, creativity, and compassion. Thank you for being impulsive, frustrating, complicated, and childish.  You are the personification of the strength and love that is capable in the human spirit, She is the reason I believe that life always gets better. She is the consistent presence of hope for the future in my life. I can only wish that everyone is lucky enough to have a friend and bond as special as the one I am blessed to have.