Every time I saw Haley – especially in the last couple of years – she would always run up to me and give me a big hug.  But not a normal hug – because nothing Haley ever did was conventional.  She would hug me with both arms and both legs.

The couple of times she picked me up from the airport she threw herself at me so hard, she knocked me to the ground.  But that is exactly how Haley was.  She put her whole body into whatever she did.  Her whole body and her whole heart.

These last couple of days I've heard a lot of stories about how truly special Haley was.  How brave and strong and funny and loving and caring and unique she was.

And the reason why Haley was so incredible, is because she had the most incredible parents.  Ricky and Sandy did everything they possibly could to make sure Haley had the best possible life.  And during all the dramas and traumas of Haley's life – they were so strong and brave and optimistic.  So it's no wonder that Haley too was so strong and brave and optimistic.  She learned it from her parents.

And while Ricky and Sandy were blessed to have a child as amazing and beautiful as Haley, Haley was equally as blessed to have parents as amazing and beautiful as them.
 
I truly believe that Haley as given to Ricky and Sandy for a reason.  And I am so thankful she was – because I am so lucky to have known Haley and to have been so close to her and that she was a part of my life.

One of the only things that gives me peace now is knowing that Haley was happy everywhere.  She loved meeting new people and learning new things.  And I can see her right now saying, "I'm Haley, what's your name?  I'm Haley, what's your name?"  I know she's happy.

She truly is an angel.

(Amy's speech… more or less.)