I’ve never met anyone else like Anna. Whoever I ask, describes her the same. Beautiful, serene, loving and highly intelligent. She was an old soul and my best friend. We were 4 when we met and we went on to do great things together. Like win the wheelbarrow race, clean up in the 3-legged and get giddy in the snow on a sip of peach schnapps. Like two odds make an even, she was a central part of my childhood. Hours playing with guineas and gerbils and school days riding round the playground on our imaginary horses. We chose to be friends. Not because our parents hung out or that we were part of a group. But because we found a special connection and deep understanding together. Anna was unassuming and understated. And whilst her presence was often silent you always knew she was there. Our support for each other continued into college years despite taking different paths. It wasn’t like other friendships, it was unique and solely ours. Whatever connected us from the start remained with us for years. And whilst we lost touch she has always stayed with me. More of a feeling than a memory. I guess her soulful, thoughtful, incredible spirit left an imprint on mine. She has stayed with me for the past 45 years so I know her light will continue to shine.