The other day as we gathered around her for a family prayer my Dad asked all of us to kneel. My mom (who was obviously excused from this request) immediately dragged herself over with great effort and let herself fall to her knees by the side of the bed. We all watched with open mouths, floored at her devotion overriding her physical pain, especially since she could hardly lift her head off her pillow that day, and she wasn't even able to stand up afterwards without help.
Yesterday she was quite weak and in and out of alertness. Much of the day was uncomfortable, and she was in bed all day. It's given us the privilege of attending her with hot towels for her legs for cramping, keeping her lips moist, covering her with blankets, bringing her food, and just being with her as she endures.
One of the sweet experiences this week has been to watch our dad care for my mom. He'll often kiss her as he places the blanket over her. The other day he eased the tension by saying, "Mom and I will dance to the bathroom together." It made her smile.
My mom wrote this a few years ago about my Dad. "One of the sweet miracles of cancer has been having a best friend for the journey – I could not do this without Lane’s constant optimism, thoughtfulness, and support. Cancer has brought us even closer together. Marrying him is the best decision I ever made."
I love you Aunt Robyn!
ReplyDelete"having a best friend for the journey" is one of the sweet miracles of life, only made sweeter as the journey draws shorter. May ministering angels (both seen and un-seen) continue to bear your wonderful family up through this glorious transition. Love, Uncle Marv
ReplyDeleteShe is such a great example in so many ways! We love you, Sister Anderson!
ReplyDeleteShe is amazing! As if your dad!!! I am inspired by their positive attitudes and senses of humor.
ReplyDeleteWe love your Mom and Family. Robyn, you are a valiant example of a "Christ-like" servant of Heavenly Father. May Heavenly Father continue to wrap his loving arms around you to bring you peace and joy. May you feel the attentive arms of the angels. Our hearts and prayers are with you all.
ReplyDeleteLove, Julie Meyers and Family.
Thank you for the beautiful entires! I feel like I have glimpsed into heaven as I have imagined you gathering around your precious mother, wife and grandmother these past few days. How very loved she must feel. As hard as it will be for her to leave all of you, I have never known anyone better prepared to be embraced by the other side than Robyn. Your continued grace and dignity and love through this whole journey has been so inspirational to our family. We love you one and all. Please gently stroke Robyn's cheek from us.
ReplyDeleteWith love,
The Merrills
Dear Sister Anderson,
ReplyDeleteI feel blessed to have been able to witness your example of strength, courage, love, and devotion to family and the gospel. You are an amazing woman. I wish you the best during this trying time. Love, Joyce Hanchett
As my mother and Andrea and I have sat and talked these last couple of days together, we have found ourselves tearing up. Nothing but positive feelings come when I think of your mother, grandmother and wife. She has been an example to me of a wonderful servant of the Lord, a knowledgable daughter of God, a graceful lady, a hard working and unselfish mother and wife. Andrea mentioned to me the other day that "Sister Anderson has made me a better person. I am better in so many ways because of her." I was quick to agree and thought that was the perfect way to put how I feel about her. I feel very lucky to know her and to have had grown up with all of you girls and nathan. She will be in my prayers and forever in my memories.
ReplyDeletei wrote this to annie's facebook, but i am not sure how often she checks there... we just wanted to email you guys & let you know that we are thinking about you & your sweet family lots over here!!! please know that your sweet mom & dad & entire family are in our prayers & hearts!!! i obviously just got to know your mom & dad these last few years, but their spirits and their love for life & their love for people is truly contagious!!! they are such beautiful examples of strength, faith, & endurance!!! your mom has definitely touched my life & the lives of so many for good!!!! please give her our love & let her know what a beautiful example she is to us!!
ReplyDeleteyour amazing family is in our hearts & prayers!!!
love,
paige, andy, & cam cam archer
Hi Robyn and Anderson family,
ReplyDeleteWell, as the wife of your plumber, I felt somewhat compelled to respond to anything that has the word 'bathroom' in it! And regarding your best friend dancing to the bathroom with you; like, yours, MY best friend would do just about anything for me, but not dance, even to the bathroom!
My friend, I'll see you in later times, but for now, I'm praying for a continued loving time with all your family around, and I'm relishing in some very sentimental memories of those times you and I (and sometimes our kids) shared together, and I'm thanking God for such a true and honest friend as you!
soft gentle hugs to you (did Jordan deliver my hug to you this morning?),
bobbie and family
Dear Robyn,
ReplyDeleteSoon it will be the Three Musketeers. The three most inspiring women ever assembled in one ward at one point in time. Hilary, Sally and you.
I love you and know from experience you will have power and authority to do more for your family on the other side, than here. I have witness that life is wonderful there from Hilary and experience the continued blessings she brings to our family.
One the greatest blessing Heavenly Father can give one of his choice and deserving spirits, is what you are experiencing now with Lane and your children. You deserve it.
Love you,
Don
I think Jamie said it best when she said " Everything about Robyn is good". We love you Aunt Robyn. Trevor and Family
ReplyDeleteOne of our fondest memories was when Gregg and I had the pleasure of escorting Robyn down the concourse to the gate at the Salt Lake Airport for us to greet Lane when he returned home from his mission in Germany. We had to practically “drag” Robyn down the concourse – not because she did not want to see Lane – she was just plain nervous. Gregg and I flanked her on both sides; took her arm in arm and escorted her to the gate. From that point on it has been such a blessing to watch the very sweet love affair between Lane and Robyn grow and nourish through the years. They have been an inspiration to us as they have loved and supported each other especially through the last 4 years.
ReplyDeleteRobyn, you are leaving behind 5 amazing young women, 1 very special young man and a husband who exemplifies everything that is good about you. Thank you for sharing your journey of the past 4 years giving us the blessing of witnessing faith promoting experiences and tender mercies that are talked about so much in the scriptures. We are so grateful to be family and to know that we will feel your influence in our lives eternally.
May you feel peace in your heart knowing that you and Lane did not hide your candle under a bushel but stood high on a hill for everyone to see the light of Christ beaming from your charitable lives. We pray for peace to be with your family as you experience this very Heavenly time you are experiencing together. All our love, Gregg and Julie
Sister Anderson-you have been a source of love and learning for me over the years. I am inspired by you and this past week has been a time of reflection and perspective as I am reminded once again whats most important in life and who I want to be. I will never forget your example. May we all face adversity with the same faith and courage you have. Love to all you Andersons- thinking so much about you.
ReplyDeleteMegan Acker
Your sisters prayed for your life in the Salt Lake Temple four years ago during your first surgery. Tuesday we prayed again in the Celestial room in thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father that you could be our sister, teacher, and best friend forever. You are dearly loved.
ReplyDeleteRosy
I love you aunt Robyn. I love you Andersons. I am thinking and praying for all of you. Heidi Killpack
ReplyDeleteThe time I spent living with your family is such a blessing in my life! I think of it often and fondly. Your mom was an amazing example to me of motherhood, friendship and service. I think a lot of her reaction to things: patient, loving, faithful and with a willingness to let things unroll as they may. I can hear in your stories, that she is still that person. I love you Robyn! I love your whole family and will have you in my thoughts and prayers. Peace be with you!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful, inspiring, and amazing person you are Sister Anderson! I will be praying for and thinking of you all!
ReplyDeleteDear sister Robyn,
ReplyDeleteI treasure the space you made in your heart for an odd-thinking adopted brother. Your insistent kindness and sense of fun have taught me a lot. You are loved.
Sean
Dear Anderson Children:
ReplyDeleteI know what an amazingly difficult time this is for you all. We never plan on losing our mother's at this age. Please know time and your knowledge of the Gospel truly does heal the pain. You will never forgot your mother's smile, her voice, her laughter,her smell or all of those wonderful memories she created in your lives. Those aspects will always be with you and so will she:) All of our love, thoughts and prayers are with you all:)
Much Love,
Christie, Adam, Tiffany, Haley and Zach Almeida