Grandma Anderson

 On December 7th, we said goodbye to the matriarch of the Andersons.  My grandma, Maxine Anderson, was a gentle, classy lady who loved her family deeply.  Alzheimer's Disease robbed her of her golden years, but no doubt she lived plenty of good ones before that. 

 

I was lucky enough to have my grandparents live in my neighborhood growing up.  They were just a bike ride away if we ever needed them.  Although Grandma was the biggest worry-wort you've ever met and probably hated the fact that we were allowed to bike down the streets to their house alone, we did it anyway.  Grandma always fed us big meals and forced carrots and milk down our throats so we would grow strong.  She also showed up to our house with homemade cookies in recycled coffee cans.  She wore high heels and a string of beads on a regular basis.  She was a bridge champion, expert at rosemalling, gardener, world traveler, cross-word puzzle wiz, college graduate, and most importantly a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.  When we introduced her to Ingrid she no longer had words and rarely opened her eyes except for Grandpa, but some how managed to inch her hand closer to her first great-grandchild. 

It should not go without being mentioned that Grandma (& Grandpa) were there for me, my brother and dad during our greatest time of need- while my mom was sick with cancer and the delicate years after her passing.  Countless rides, caregiving and meals were given.  Much later I had the chance to repay some of that to them by helping care for Grandma in her earlier stages of Alzheimer's.  I spent a few summers with Grandma allowing my grandpa the chance to get out and play bridge and take care of his own health.  I'm thankful for that time as I got to know another part of her.  She loved to sing and dance and let you know she was boss (total backseat driver!).  We went all over town shopping  and holding hands (she also became a great escape artist).  One thing that was very clear during that time was how important her family was to her.  She always wanted to know where her babies grandbabies were.  As the years passed, she slowly forgot all of our names, but she held on to Gordy's (my grandpa) name the longest.  

Rest in peace sweet Grandma.  We love you.