Written by Julie.Because my grandparents lived next door, my brother and I spent a lot of time at Anna's. She would offer us a 'pop' and we would sit in her 'funky' Scandinavian furniture and watch TV. I remember she would often knit or embroider. One time she was making a blanket. We bantered back and forth for a while because I thought she must be making it for SOMEBODY, and she insisted she didn't have a plan for it. Finally I said "Oh! You must be making it for my daddy". I'm pretty sure she wasn't, but a few weeks later she gave it to my dad.
She had the emptiest house I've ever seen. I think she didn't believe too much in worldly possessions. This, however, made great space for kids to play. One time my brother and I and my cousins Chris and Andy were running round and round her kitchen table while she sat in the middle drinking her beer. She kept saying "Stop it, you're making me dizzy". We just laughed, "How can you be dizzy? We're the ones running around." Did she send us back to 501 sooner than usual? Probably.
One family picnic at our house in Conneaut Lake we found out Anna had never ridden a bicycle. We children were shocked. "No problem", Anna assured us. She could do it if she tried. I called her bluff, and brought her my bike. Lo and Behold! She did it! What a good time we had that day.
I also remember the adults writhing in frustration at the positions she took during discussions on world events or child rearing or anything else. These could be quite heated debates. Sometimes I think she just liked to be contrary, but I'm also proud of her because, just because the whole world says you are wrong doesn't mean you are, and she stood strong in her opinions.
Aside from the good times I think she had a strict ritual for living her life. I could never get over her getting ready for bed before the sun did. That was way before even my bedtime. Often after a Sunday dinner at 501 Parade I would rap on Anna's bedroom window at 505 on our way to the car. She always got up out of bed to peek at me through the curtains to wave goodbye.
Thank you Anna. For good times, living your faith and lessons taught.
