Anna was one of those friends. I "met" her through Babycenter.com, where we were both active on a message board for parents of kids Chickie's age. Her son was born the same month as Chickie. We got to know each other better through blogs, Facebook, Twitter, and email. She wasn't one of my closest online friends, but we definitely knew, respected, and liked each other.
Anna had three boys--Anthony (11), Matthew (7), and Christopher (4)--and loved them to pieces. When she got pregnant again a year ago and found out it was a girl, she was overjoyed! Her daughter Isabella is three months old.
Anna was a passionate person. She was passionately committed to her family--she loved those kids! She was passionate recently about the Twilight series of books. I haven't even read the books or seen the movies, but I know she was on "Team Edward!"
Anna passed away yesterday. She'd had what should have been a routine surgery, tubal ligation. It was the last thing she posted about on her blog. What she didn't know when she posted that, was that she was going to get an infection that would very quickly take her life.
I sent her a sugar cookie recipe recently. Isn't it odd how we grasp onto those tiny connections when we lose someone? When we did an art pen pal project on this blog some time ago, Anna was the one who sent her artwork to me. I am so glad I still have it.
Anna's husband Davide and her four young children are in my prayers, and if you're the praying sort, please add them to yours too.
Goodbye, Anna.
27 comments:
I didn't know about this until I checked your blog, Beth. I am just so saddened to hear this. Even though I'm not a super active BBC member, I feel I know her very well. Prayers for her family...
I cannot believe this. Thank you for posting this, Beth - I've dropped out of BBC land, and had no idea about this. My prayers go out to those beautiful children.
My heart goes out to Anna's family. I'm so sorry. Holding her children close in my thoughts and prayers.
That is so horrible! I didn't know Anna but anytime someone passes before their time it really is very sad. You never know what tomorrow will bring. My sympathy to you on the loss of your friend and also Anna's family.
I'm still in shock. What a sweet tribute to her..... it's hard to explain the bond we have, our group of Jan06 mommas, but it's something that's so very real. I can't imagnie my life without the experience of getting to know Anna and so many other moms there.... Beth, I'd love to link back to this tribute (if that's okay with you!) and ask my blog friends to pray for her family....
One of my best friends is an online friend. I didn't know Anna but I know how devastated I'd be to lose anyone, online or offline. Her family is in my prayers.
I wept as I read your tribute. I shed more tears reading the comments. I pray for God's comfort for Anna's family. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
I'm so sorry and saddened to read about your friend. I went to her blog and feel so sad for her family. I will be praying for them.
I've been out of town and off BBC for quite a while... I totally missed this! How terrible! Prayers for her family.
Jan06 was how I met you and Elaine, two people I count as "real friends"....
Beth- Thank you for posting this beautiful tribute. I had not heard that she had passed away- I don't visit bbc very often these days, but I remember Anna and her sweet family. I'm so so sorry.
Teresa
Oh my goodness... that is so sad to hear. My thoughts go out to her family.
I went to her blog and read her final post. So normal. So much a reminder of the uncertainty of life. Her family and especially her boys and her tiny baby girl are in my prayers.
So so very sad. I was one of those Jan06 mommas but haven't been on there since our babies were babies. I am so saddened by this. I am praying for Anna's family and all the people who's life she touched.
Oh, how terrible! I haven't been online in ages and I just happened to hop on today to try to catch up a little bit. Even though I haven't been on BBC in months, I remember Anna and even though I didn't know her well, she seemed like such a sweet person. I am so sad for her family...what an awful, awful thing.
I can't believe Anna is gone. My heart cries for her family left behind.
Beth, just thought I'd let you know that I did link back to you. Hugs...
http://oursemihomemadelife.blogspot.com/2010/01/in-memory-of-anna.html
Beth,
Thank you so much for writing this lovely tribute to Anna. I'm sickened by her death and have been praying for her and her family all day. Just another reminder not to take anything for granted.
My heart is just aching for this family. This is one of those times when I just have to ask God "Why?" and leave it at that and hand Him my heart.
Thank you for writing such a sweet tribute to your friend. I linked to her blog and read her last post. Everything seemed so fine. I agree with addhumorandfaith, so much of a reminder of the uncertainty. That's been on my mind a lot lately as my very close friend battles breast cancer. We aren't guaranteed tomorrow. I'm so glad I know the One who holds all tomorrows in His hands.
I'm so sorry for your loss. My group from Babycenter.com went through the same thing with one of our mommas. We have all known each other since 2002 with our first pregnancies. She passed away a little after her second daughter was born. We had met. It is a true loss when you can only meet someone so late in their life and it just isn't fair. I only wish I had known her the entire time she was enjoying life.
Always pray for her family and be there for them. Do or make something special for her kids to remember her by. It will be something they can always have with them to cherish her with. I've not read your friend's blog yet but I hope that her family will keep the blog. Her words will live on through her children.
My prayers are with you and her family during this tough time.
-Katie
Thanks Beth.. well said
I am so shocked by Anna death. I too am a Jan 06 mom from BBC but not much of poster. She was such a caring and funny mom and i followed the birth of her daughter. I am so sad and will pray for her family.
Terrible News.
My heart goes out for her. Her family are in my prayers. May God bestow enough strength on her family to endure such a terrible loss.
May her soul rest in peace.
What a heartbreak and tragedy for this family. I don't know that there are words to express all of my thoughts and feelings right now. I went and read that last entry... so much in it breaks me into little pieces...
Praying for her family and friends. I didn't know her-but my heart breaks for those who did. She seemed so full of life and happiness.
Wow, my heart goes out to her husband and kids. I don't check in on BBC as much anymore but am too a Jan'06 momma and remember Anna and can picture her 3 boys. So tragic.
I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. How tragic...what a heartbreak. I will keep her family in my thoughts and prayers. What a shock to that poor family and their friends.
Wow. I'm so sorry about your friend. I have never heard of someone passing away from a tubal ligation. It's good to know and so sad.
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