Wow Cousin John...

...you are right - I have failed - EPICALLY failed - to blog lately. My last blog of any real familial subsequence was Halloween! That's horribe but I've got plenty of excuses. I'll spare you the list but just trust me. So let's see to catch up, I've got Thanksgiving, Kendall's birthday, Christmas, Avery's birthday...I think that's about it, and maybe a few videos in between. Oh and my mirror project finale! I know you've all been chomping at the bit to see it!!!! Right Cousin John?

My dear sweet Grandma Anderson passed away at the honorable age of 93 on Sunday morning (January 23rd) peacefully and in her sleep. We know that she was welcomed with open arms into heaven by not only Jesus, but her loving husband who passed a little over a year ago and her son, my dad, who died 33 years ago. I know that her heart has ached for the both of them for so long. She is sorely missed but I am confident knowing that she is at rest and very very happy.

Her death was sudden and we all scrambled to try to get there. At the last minute I thought I could pull off driving up with the girls. Mike was out of town but the weather forecast was to be beautiful the whole way up to Nebraska and I thought I could even pick up my brother to help me with the drive. And then Wednesday morning I woke up..............with a stomach virus. Avery had had it Saturday and I thought I was totally in the clear since it had been over 3 days. After literally being drained of all fliuds for an entire day, I knew that I could not physically commit to a 17 hour drive with 2 small children. Not too mention risk getting everyone else in Nebraska sick.

So my heart is broken and aching for my family. I so wished to be with them. It's a time of sorrow but a chance for us all to reconnect and love on each other. It's a huge family - 5 children, their spouses, and then my 12 cousins, their spouse and 4 great-grandkids... It's a giant ball of love that family.

It amazes me EVERY SINGLE TIME that we get on the phone - even after years - that's it like we never missed a day. I love that about my family. And love can't even describe the depth of my adoration for them. Tonight they all called and passed around the phone to talk to me. My heart ached as we laughed and I cried and they told me what they were up to and they made me realize that I'd not bought waterproof mascara.

I always buy waterproof mascara.

My Cousin John (mentioned in the title of this blog) said that I hadn't posted on here in quite some time and he was tired of re-reading about my fireplace mantle dilemma...okay, he didn't really say that but I read between the lines. So this is for you John! And for all of the Anderson Family and for my sweet Grandma. More to come...

Eleanor Anderson

January 15, 1918--January 23, 2011