September
2013
A
MEMORIAL FOR ANNE
Colorado put on her
prettiest dress for this long anticipated event. Fires had denuded the hillsides in many places, then
after a long siege of heavy rains, mud slides and floods had devastated the
beautiful landscape and picturesque villages. And yet, the hillsides glowed with new green growth,
and where usually dry brush and black-eyed Susans prevail , there was a bright aspect of spring-time;
everything looked fresh and new.
The aspens had not
yet begun to turn so it was the green green grass of home that filled my eyes
and heart that September afternoon
of our arrival at the Woodland Inn.
This was
another gathering of the Sanderson/Gettman clan . We were there to honor and remember Anne; sibling, auntie,
Mother, granny and
friend to a very large group of folks. They came , bearing bags, boxes and bowls, and the beautiful
new table in the dining room began to fill with delectables of all sorts.
The spaciousness of the inn itself, the grounds
around it provide ample space for
guests to roam, lounge on porches and patios, stroll the grounds or hike the hills , walk down the road to town,
or retire to the privacy of their rooms .
Having reached the advanced
age of 91 I admit to being somewhat apprehensive as to how I would react to the
8,000 ft altitude, especially after struggling with some health issues, but to
my surprise and delight I found I could navigate the steep driveway, and even
climb the hill behind the Inn with my camera to photograph the distant
panoramic views.
There was a joyous
renewal of relationships, greeting kinfolk long absent from each other, much
hugging, and acquainting ourselves with the newest members of the clan. As always happens at the Inn, there
was a general feeling of letting
down and allowing the magic of the mountains to unwind the tensions.
AnnE was
everywhere! I heard the
echoes of her voice in the laughter; her sharp wit crackled in the stories we
told. I looked for her around
every corner, and thought I felt her hand on my shoulder. She was there. She would not have missed it for the
world!
Written with love
by Betty L. Owen
September 2013
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