What made Ellie the person she was? The following is the list of traits we gave our pastor, Jonathan Bow, to serve as the basis for his message during her service. Thank you for spending some time with us and learning about Ellie.

Essence of Ellie

• Ellie was our first and we got to be there for her first breath and her last

• Babies were her buddies. She will enjoy her final resting place that borders the infant section of the cemetery.

• Super heroes were her kind of people. They are for all that is good and so was Ellie. She didn't like things that were unfair.

• Her mind and imagination ran non-stop. She was quirky and unique. She could be argumentative and strong-willed. There were days when those traits were the best things in the world and others where it could drive you crazy. But the crazy days were never intentional; they were just her trying to make her way in the world.

• Because she was different she never saw that in others and loved unconditionally, even when she didn't receive that in return at times. We know she is now in heaven and being loved unconditionally and is whole and happy in every way imaginable. She is accepted for who she is by all around her.

• Ellie's "Superfoods": pizza, Dr. Pepper, Doritos and Reese's peanut butter cups, though the last day of our vacation the week before she left us, we did get her to try Caesar salad and spinach-artichoke dip - and admit that she liked both!

• She didn't have much of a filter. If she thought it, she said it. One day, I was wearing a gray t-shirt and she told me I looked good in gray. When I thanked her, she responded by saying, "sure. It matches your hair and beard."

• We wear pink (for her service) and in places all around the country today to honor Ellie because that was her favorite color and vivid was her style

• When it became obvious the aneurysm was going to be too much to overcome, her doctor put it so perfectly that the "essence of Ellie" was no longer with us. When her heart, after so much fighting over the two days, continued to beat longer than expected, the nurse described her as having a "strong heart," which also summed her up so well. She fought. She battled. She persevered through a lot in her life and that part of her character really revealed itself to us in the end.

• She was loved and she loved. She loved her family - especially her sisters Grace and Anna - our dog Sadie, her friends, her church and her school. She loved God and was making plans for her baptism, which is why we had her baptized in the hospital in her final hours. We wanted to honor that last, true wish of hers and send her off to God with it fulfilled.

• She was a gift to us from God and He has now taken her back.

• We have holes in our hearts that will never be filled but we will find our way on the love and memories of this young woman who was and is so very special to us. 

• Ellie danced like no one was watching and sang like no one was listening. We hope her legacy is one of encouragement to always be yourself and let that shine through: eat a Reese's cup every now and then, feel like a superhero and wear pink somewhere you wouldn't expect to see it. Thank you for allowing us to share a little bit of her with you today.