Tact is the knack of making a point without making an enemy. (Isaac Newton)

July 13, 2019– One of my most dear friends on the planet is celebrating her birthday today! She knows how to balance honesty and tactfulness better than nearly anyone I know. Perhaps its a gift born of decades as a grade school teacher? What I know for sure is that the Lord did NOT gift me similarly, ha?!! Thank goodness for her stunning example to show me the way. Getting along with people, knowing when to remain silent and when to speak up, and smiling the whole way…these are just a few of her gifts. Meet Ann Hepp! She’s pictured above with some of my other favorite girls on the 4th of July. She’s on the left in the front row in the cute striped shirt.

Ann, who looks beautiful even in yoga pants and ponytail, is the wife of a “salt of the earth” kind of man named Gerry and the mother of two truly impressive young men, Cole and Clay. Her boys are both students at the University of Dayton, and before that they attended Guerin Catholic High School, which is where I first made her acquaintance. She’s incredibly bright, articulate, thoughtful and positive. I count on her prayers and she counts on mine. Her friendship is a treasure in my life.

A gloriously kind soul, Ann is also a remarkably supportive mother to her two sons. Whether she understands their current passion or not, wherever they’ve decided to dip their toes in the water, nearby you will find their mom cheering them on all the way. She’s confident and conscientious as well as thoughtful and loving. Her sons have inherited these terrific qualities from both of their parents. They are her most impressive and remarkable work for the Lord, in my opinion.

A faith-filled, spiritual woman, Ann just flat gets it. She wears her heart on her sleeve. She stops to help, texts to check in, and she offers to assist. She trained her children to interact with the world in just the same wonderful way. She goes out of her way to be a terrific human, which inspires me always to try and imitate her. When she laughs, I giggle. Her giving heart is made of gold. She’s the kind of person for whom you want to return the favor, precisely because you know she isn’t keeping score.

“Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” (Luke 6:38)

Our good and gracious God blessed me more richly than I could ever deserve with a friend like Ann. She’s a blessing in my life as well as those of all who know her. I’ll be out of town on vacation for her birthday this year, but trust me, we made it a festival by starting the party early before I head out of town! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY DEAR FRIEND! I LOVE YOU, ANN!!