Oh Anne,
Monday morning I was returning from dropping off a computer to Kelly at his place of work and as I left his office to drive the 30 minutes home I could not get you out of my mind. I wanted to call you but looked at the clock and saw that is was 5 a.m. California time and knew it was way to early. I proceeded to think of all the wonderful things you did for my family, especially Dylan and me, during one of the most difficult times in our lives. I was wishing I was home to be able to help you during your difficult struggles. I did not know you had passed away. Monday evening I got a call from "my" Dylan letting me know you had gone home, Friday, to meet your maker. Somehow, now, I feel like you were telling me good bye Monday morning.
Anne,
You were helpful, honest, truthful and persistent. You were passionate, organized, energetic and you seemed to sense when someone needed your help. You loved deeply. Especially your BOYS. All three of them and your animals.
I remember you telling me years into our friendship that you were taken back, in years earlier, when you had asked if we could car pool to PCS. I said "NO" that carpooling did not work for me. I was too spontaneous and sometimes I did not come back to Nipomo after school. You said later I kind of hurt your feelings. I apologized for my immediate response and we always laughed about it. We always laughed about our downfalls. We could both be pretty loud and we knew it. We also knew that sometimes our loud, enthusiastic, energetic and often opinionated personalities tended to turn some people off. It was a great source of our joking together.
Fast forward to October 6, 2006 when my father had a major stroke that left him unable to walk, talk and swallow. I became his full time caregiver after 100 days and for the next 6 years you became my "Angel on Earth." You sensed our need and showed up. You called and offered to pick "my" Dylan up from school or get him to a school function. Even when I refused, you were persistent. You sensed I could not do it all by myself. When the kids started High School, I would get a call from you 15 minutes before you knew I had to load dad in the car to pick up "my" Dylan, stating you were bringing "my" Dylan home. You would not take "no" for an answer. For you, it was out of the way, you had to deal with traffic that you would not have if you got your boys and went straight home. I knew it would take you, at least, a half hour longer than normal but you never, ever, thought of it that way. You were happy to help and always did it with a smile and sense of humor.
When dad went to assisted care and we started building our house, you would come by to watch the progress and encourage me. You were excited that we were, now, going to be on the way home.
When Kelly went to Florida for the temporary 4 months that turned into years, you again, offered to help so that I could go to visit him. You offered to feed and water our many animals so I could be with my husband. Again, you sensed that I was missing him.
One day you called crying and said you needed to talk to me in person. I was in Florida at the time and did not know when I was going to be home. Please tell me what is going on Anne "I am getting worried." You said " I don't know exactly but something is not right. I feel fuzzy at times and I am struggling with driving. " If you know Anne, she was a doer, always in the car. Shaking and moving this world. So the thought of losing her license was devastating to her. She eventually did stop driving but that did not stop her. She amazed me. She learned the bus routes, times and started jumping on that bus to continue living. She took the negative and turned it into a positive. She was not going to be stuck at home as long as she could walk. I admired you for that resilience and adaptability. I hope I told you my thoughts.
Your support for Jay was undeniable. When we started the group to fight a neighborhood development that threatened to steal our water source you provided us with, not only, a meeting place but you always had drinks and snacks waiting. You never sat down during the meetings you just made sure we were all taken care of. You helped stuff and stamp all the letters and made sure I knew when all the County meetings were so I could fly back for them. You stood in the background but were always there to support us.
I loved listening to you talk about the days on the boat with Jay. The simplicity of it all. The days of starting the business and of the joy of adopting the boys.
Anne, you helped me make peace with the chaos that was an uncontrollable part in my life. Have I told you lately "YOU were my ANGEL on EARTH."
My biggest regret is not being in Nipomo to pay you back for the thoughtfulness and kindness you bestowed on me. Thank you Anne for all that you did for my family.
Heaven, look out, you have gained one of the fiercest and most giving ANGELS that you will ever have. Enjoy the view Anne you earned it.
Wish I was there to hug your boys in person. Jay, Dylan and Jerod, group hug from me. (I can hear your mom say "no eye rolling boys")
Love you,
Cher