Missing Annie #1 and Annie #2

Journal entry from November 1, 2006: "Today is a cold, crisp sunny fall day--a great day to rake the leaves of the massive maple tree in our front yard. Annie helped me by pushing them around with her rake--which was twice as big as she. We filled the yard waste bin and they'll come and pick it up tomorrow--just in time for the rain and wind that's predicted for this weekend."

Before Annie's brain injury, she was my little shadow, helping me with whatever I was doing in or outside the house. I was thinking about her while raking leaves of our maple tree yesterday afternoon, and reminiscing about that fall day in November five years ago.

I was also remembering the time last October when I tried to get a picture of her sitting on a blanket with me in the leaves. With her post-brain injury sensory issues, she didn't like the wind in her face, she didn't like to have her hands touched--and she most certainly didn't like the leaves of the maple tree anymore.

 

We had better luck sitting beside the pumpkins in the safety of her own jogger with cousins Grace and Aileen:

Each season brings its own reminders of her. In the fall, Annie #1 was my little leaf raker, and Annie #2 was my pumpkin inspector. Today marks seven months since she left us. I miss both Annies so much.

Jean

"But I miss you most of all, my darling...when autumn leaves start to fall." Johnny Mercer
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