The Anderson Family: August 2008

With Grandma in the hospital I have been thinking a lot about the importance of family and remembering members of my own family that I loved and lost.
My mothers parents died long before I was born. So growing up I had my dad's parents Mildred and Cecil White. I lost both of my grandparents pretty young, I was 11 when my grandmother died and 15 when my grandad passed away. They were such wonderful people. My grandmother was crippled with rheumatoid arthritis and was cared for by my grandfather for years. They lived together in South Norfolk, I have so many memories going to their house and picking pecans in their yard. My grandmother couldn't get around so I would lay on the floor beside her and color in my coloring books. I was happy just to be in their presence..listening to them talk to my parents. My grandma was such a peaceful person and always had a smile on her face, regardless of all her health problems. My grandad always looked sharp with his hair slicked back and thin slice of a mustache.

I remember after my grandmother died I thought about my grandad and how lonely he was and I called him up one night. It was completely out of my shy character to do that, it completely caught him by surprise, we talked for hours. I didn't realize what an impact that made on him until his funeral. All these family members and friends of his that I didn't know where coming up to me and saying how my grandad told them about me calling him during one of his loneliest nights and how much it meant to him. His funeral was on my 15th birthday. Even then at my saddest of times I didn't realize how much more I would miss them as I grew up. I have so many questions I wish I could have asked them about their lives, childhood, experiences, advice, etc..They would get a kick out of my silly kids and be so proud of how my brother and I turned out. Instead I am left with old pictures and memories. That will do for now, but one day I will be able to ask my questions...

I love this photo! It is my grandfather and his friends way back in the day. They just look so cool, like they are up to no good :) Grandad is the one on the right.