Mopsy’s thoughts on Annie
A long time ago I heard a Garrison Keiller monologue on the
radio about a boy in Minnesota and his “Snow Home”. A “Snow Home” was the name
for the family in town to which a rural school child had been assigned to stay,
in the event of a sudden snowstorm preventing them from getting home. This boy
never had to use his Snow Home, all big storms occurring on weekends, but
regardless throughout his childhood he always felt a pervasive comfort just
knowing it was there. Garrison concluded his story by saying that everyone,
young or old, should have a “Snow Home” in their life, and for me that was the
family here in Canton. But unlike the boy in the story I did get to go there, for
comfort, refuge, family and fun. Never as often as I would have liked, but
often enough over my life to impress upon me how lucky I was to have such a
wonderful family.
My sisters and I were always welcomed. The warmth and love
that Anne and Peter created in their home permeated every corner, every atom of
air. We loved the bustle of life in the house, the geese, doves, bees, dogs,
chickens and gaggle of cousins. We enjoyed startling the frogs in the pond, the
wild croquet games on the lawn (which I always lost), jovial picnic dinners and
quiet evening conversations around the fireplace.
As a child I was so happy that Anne married my uncle Peter,
and I had heard one of Peter’s cousins saying that Anne was “The best thing
that happened to our family”. Annie was so graceful and gracious. She fit in so
smoothly, and the summers our families shared together with Mimi on Cape Cod
were wonderful. As I grew up I appreciated Annie in different ways, and admired
her so much as a woman and a mother. I wanted to be like her when I created my
own family and home.
There is so much more to say that is impossible to put into
words. I loved Annie dearly, and I am having a hard time accepting the triple
loss of first Peter, now Anne, and with their passing my Canton “Snow Home”. I
am waiting for the moment when I can look up from the loss and have hope. I
know I will eventually be comforted by knowing how deeply Anne’s life has
touched me and so many others, and what an incredible gift having her in our
lives has been. Her influence is within me and within all of us, her children,
family and friends. Annie shines out from within us, and we carry her spirit
forward in the world and we will share her love with others as she has shared
it with us.
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