Little Bit of Heaven

We all gathered at Terri and Dan's home today to celebrate Aunt Anne's birthday. Here's a gal who truly has led a remarkable life. Born and raised in Michigan, she headed west to Los Angeles to pursue a career in business. I have so many fond memories of visiting Annie out in the San Fernando valley area...and playing lots of golf with her. My favorite memory of course was when I almost capsized the golf cart with poor Marlyn (Annie's dear friend) hanging on for dear life in the passenger seat...all the while trying to stay alert for the snakes that were supposedly inhabitants of this desert course.

As a graduation gift, Annie flew me out to CA and the two of us drove north to Carmel and truly had a vacation of a lifetime, which culminated with Annie getting her infamous hole-in-one at a beautiful course right on the coast of the Pacific. I was there to witness it...remarkable! We also both had a good chuckle as we lunched at Pebble Beach and watched a number of hackers go at it on the 18th green. The lesson here was that you don't need to be good to play golf at Pebble...just rich!

As retirement approached, Annie and her dear friend Louise relocated to the hustling and vibrant city life of Calhoun, Louisiana. I made the trek down there probably 3-4 different times...just a tad different culture than the LA lifestyle. From the palm trees of LA to the swamps of Louisiana, I think Annie would agree that she was able to truly enjoy her early retirement there. In hindsight, God definitely had a plan when he made sure that Annie was there for Louise, who courageously fought a long illness and finally went home to God. Friends to the very end, these two....a genuine example of Christian friendship that most people can only dream about replicating in their lives.

Then, about 7 years ago, Annie came home to live with my folks. Words can't express how wonderful it will be that Annie can now be a part of my kid's lives. I want her to see Marie as she goes off to her first formal dance (I'll be a nervous wreck, but at least she can enjoy it!); Josh as he plays soccer and climbs to the level of black belt in karate...and Ms. Sarah Kay as she becomes a little lady. All the money in the world can't replace the memories you make with family...it's pretty much the only thing that you can take with you when our time is over here.

Still a fan of golf, Annie has embraced Lebron and Co. and was crushed-as I was- when they bowed out of the NBA championships last year. Hopefully if she wears her "Shoot Boobie Shoot" shirt enough this fall, the Wine and Gold will make a repeat run to the Finals...and win it! Which, in Annie's words, would be just a "little bit of heaven".