This weekend a very special person to me passed away. Last week my dad called and told me that Aunt Judy was in the hospital with congestive heart failure and there wasn't anything could do for her becuase the family didn't want her on any life support. This is one thing that I am thankful for...I hate to see loved ones on machines. Sadly, she passed away Sunday night, but thankfully in peace. For those of you who aren't aware, Aunt Judy really isn't my aunt, but for as long as I can remember she has been "family." Way back before I was ever a thought, my grandparents and Bill & Judy were friends. Aunt Judy has always been present at our Thanksgivings, Christmases, and any other family get together we have. She was just like another grandmother to me (odd we call her Aunt I know, but I came along after this had already been established). Many times at holidays her family lived too far off and didn't get to come in, or they had their get togethers at other times, so she just joined us. When her family members could be there, they just joined on in with us as well. Her granddaughter and I actually share the same birthday, only a year apart. Needless to say, my family is much bigger and deeper than blood ties.
I have so many wonderful memories with Aunt Judy and her family. My absolute favorite may be the Christmas Emily and I received a karoake machine and Aunt Judy got on the microphone and showed us how she could Yodel. Definitely the first time I had experienced that, but it is one of my favorite Christmas videos to watch. This memory doesn't actually involve Aunt Judy, but I can remember when David, Terri, Alesha Kay & Zach moved to Kansas and I was in JH at basketball camp at South Plains College in Lubbock. There was a girl there named Alesha Anderson...I thought, I KNOW her. So being the outgoing person I am, I went up and said...is Judy Anderson your grandmother? That was the first time we had seen each other in years and were so excited to call home and tell our families we were at the same basketball camp. Aunt Judy's son & daughter-in-law were also very supportive of my dad's basketball teams. I will never forget the nights when Dad's teams were playing in the regional tournament in Lubbock and staying at Mark & Bev's house. Mark & Bev were also at my dad's last win, which was a special moment for us at all. I know I will continue to make memories with her family throughout the years, I am just sad that my ones with her have come to an end.
Luckily, when Aunt Judy was admitted to the hospital and it was determined there wasn't much they could do, all the family got to see her except for 2 grandkids. She was able to say her goodbyes and was at peace with dying. Another fortunate thing was that they were all at Christmas in Lubbock, so at least everyone has that memory. (The picture to the left is of Aunt Judy & 2 of her grandkids--Zach & Alesha.) My parents did get to go visit on Saturday and said she was happy to see them and told them to give us a big hug and tell Emily & I that she loves us. I really wish I could have gone home, but it's just too far. I would have done anything to be at her funeral this morning, but time constraits didn't allow. (At least there wasn't a fight as to who had to sit by me in the funeral...I bawl like a baby and end up making everyone else cry even more.) My family knows that I was there in spirit and in heart. There's not a doubt in my mind that MeMaw, PapPaw, Uncle Bill & Aunt Judy are all reunited in Heaven catching up on old times and making new memories.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Aunt Judy
Until Next Time~ Brooke at 10:29 AM
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Ok, I just cried again reading your blog. I'm such a baby and your mom called me Brooke because she had to sit by me at the funeral and I cried.
Aunt Judy was a very special person to all of us and everyone that she ever knew. She and all of us knew that your heart was here in Texas with us, even though you didn't get to come.
Love you bunches and bunches!
Laurie
You've honored her with very sweet words here. Well done.
What a beautiful story. It sounds like you took great effort to savor the time you spent with her. You are blessed to have had her in your life, and she was blessed to have you.
Great use of blog time and space! I wish you and Emily could've been there, too.
Well add me to the crying list. Your blog was very touching to me also. And believe me we knew you were there in spirit. You did a very good job of penning your feelings, which are shared by many. By the way, when the crowd
(42 people) was at our house for supper Tuesday night, I had to recruit someone to go first since you weren't there. Alesha Kay said, "OK I can do that". Must be something about the April 14th birthday. Aunt Wanda loves you more than you can possibly know.
What a beautiful tribute to our Mom and we thank you so much for remembering her and the fondness you spoke of her. Right now we are feeling a huge void, but we know she is in a better place. Thank you for the special text message you sent to Alesha when Judy passed away. Alesha shared it with the family and it meant so much to hear from you. Although the circumstances were not in our favor of everyone getting together, we loved being with your Mom and Dad, Wanda and Jerry, Bobby and Rowena, and Laurie and Paul's family. The fellowship was such that Judy would have wanted to be there. We loved seeing everyone and certainly understand how the miles and schedules impact travel. Our love to you Brooke, and thank you for the beautiful tribute. Teri Anderson
Hey girly!
What a sweet blog you wrote about grandma. I can't help but cry reading it. I know how much "Aunt Judy" loved each and everyone of your family. She always spoke of ya'll as her own. We all have so many fond memories of times spent with grandma. We certainly were all blessed to have such a wonderful person in our lives. I enjoyed so much getting to spend time with your family this past week. I know that you would have loved to be there, but I also understand how difficult it is to get away when we have other priorities and are so far away. You were there in heart and just as Laurie said everyone, including grandma was aware of that. Thank you for your sweet words, thoughts, and prayers. Can't wait to see you! Love you.
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