Remembering Mims: From: Bree Anderson

Holly Rudd Anderson 01-27-52 ~ 02-17-04

Dear family and friends,

It has been six years--coming up to the day that my brothers, sister and I lost our mom. We have been strong. We accept that she has moved on to more important things and are happy for her. At times we miss her of course and prefer not to dwell on things of the past but find it healthy to take a moment every now and again to reflect on the happy memories we have been afforded. This leads me to the point for which I am writing you this note. Because life is moving forward and memories begin to distance themselves, it becomes hard to remember the unique attributes and characteristics that makes someone so special. Of the few times over the past six years that I have been able to spend with grandpa and grandma, my favorite question has been to ask, “Can you please tell me a story about my mom?” I loved to see their faces light up and an ensuing funny, exciting, mischievous story that so described my mom. For a moment I feel like I remember something that I had forgotten. When tragedy happens, to move on you try to forget the hopelessly despairing recollections and with that seems to drift some of the priceless memories that allow someone to live on.
More for my siblings but also for myself, I wanted to ask you to take a moment of your time and write down a memory about my mom. I know people ask this and sometimes you might say to yourself, “Give it a rest” or “that’s so cliche’” to be doing this but it would mean so much to me and I know my siblings that I couldn’t help but ask.
Aunt, sister, cousin, friend, whatever she was to you connects you with us. And with the way our lives continue to forge their way into the future, leaving behind the past, I am afraid that now is no better time to ask this favor of you. On February 17, 2010 I am going to have put together a blogspot with entries from family and friends with pictures, music--including songs that Kevan, Kris, and I have written, poems, etc. as a place where my siblings and I can go when those moments come where we feel like we want to be closer. She left a little early. I have a lot of moments where I want her to be there to congratulate me for achievements I have made or something to laugh at that I know she would understand. She was one of the closest people I have had in my life and one that I wouldn’t have to say anything and she’d understand. A mom is an important person you’d hope would never leave and would be there forever. And she is. I am happy she is where she is.
So, if you would please do me a favor and write just something--it can be anything, you would help me to give something irreplaceable to my family and I know they would appreciate it more than you would know. If you have any pictures that you could download, we always love to see those.
We (the Anderson’s) have been blessed with so many good family members and have more than we could possibly have asked for. I would like to thank you beforehand for your time. I really hope that you and your family are doing well. I am proud to be a Rudd--we are blessed to have had Sam and Marge in our lives and such a great link to keep us together. I’ll miss our reunions but remember the good times.

May this site be dedicated to the memory of a loved one who brought happiness into the lives of those around her. Holly Rudd Anderson came into this world January 27, 1952 to Sam and Marge Rudd. The sister of four, mother of six, aunt, and friend to many more, Holly became known a breath of fresh air. One who understood the needs of others and was always willing to be a listening ear. She always loved a good mischievous endeavor--anything to get a rise out of someone. She loved cars, clothes and loved being the center of attention. Her relationship with her sisters was inspiring and an example to anyone who observed. Many trips, lunches, and days out strengthened their bond and is something that will be missed by all. For the visitors of this site: if you have anything that you would like to express--memories, pictures, thoughts to the children, sisters, or those who loved Holly, or anything else--please send them to tanderson@hspest.com.

I was listening to my MP3 player one day. It was on shuffle and it brought up one of my favorite songs... It was called "Running Through My Mind", by my uncle Tim. He wrote it when my grandma died in 2004. When it first started playing, many different memories started running through my mind...

It was around January of 2003 and I remember the phone call I received from a forgotten someone. I was playing with my little sisters, Hailee and Aspynn, when I heard the phone ringing. I called to my mom, "I got it!". I picked up the phone, "Hello?" An unfamiliar voice answered back, "Is this my little Bree Ann?". I was confused, "Yes, who is this?". There was a slight pause, but the voice asked for my dad so I gave up, knowing I would find out who the mystery person was sooner or later. I gave the phone to my dad and returned to my little sisters playing upstairs.

A little while later, I heard my dad call me and my sisters down to talk for a minute. He announced that we were going to a movie that weekend with our grandma. We started cheering and getting excited, for we thought it was our Grandma Judy who loved so dearly. But my dad said, "It's not the grandma you know". He turned to me, "It's the one you haven't seen since you were very little, Bree Ann." It was all a blur, as I searched my memory for my grandma I haven't seen in years. Then, the picture came into place. "Grandma Holly?" I asked. My dad grinned and nodded his head.

It came so quickly. First, I was thinking about how wonderful it would be to see my grandma again after all these years. Then, before I knew it, I was giving her a big, huge hug while walking into the movie theaters with her, my dad and my little sisters. Mom had to stay home because she was pregnant with my next little sister. At the time, I thought it would be exciting to have a bunch of little sisters! And with the four of them--I was right. I love my family! Anyway, grandma had bought us tickets to see the new Peter Pan that had just came out into theaters. We had a great time.

Time flew by, and Christmas time was here again. Grandma Holly decided she wanted to spend the holidays with us. We were so happy to spend more time with her. It was nice. She gave me a present in secret, she said not to tell anyone about it. I was a beautiful box. On the outside, it was gold and there was a gorgeous painting of an angel descending out of heaven. And on the inside, there was a mirror. She said to always look at it and see a gorgeous me to match the gorgeous angel. I was so happy... But happiness doesn't last forever.

It was a school day. I woke up at about 9:45 and I was freaking out because I was late for school already. I ran down stairs and I saw my parents crying. I didn't think I should bring up that I was late for school, so I just went over, sat down and asked what was wrong. When I heard the news, I ran to my room and couldn't come out for a while. My grandma had passed away... Even though I only got to see her a couple of times, that was enough to become close to her.

My uncle Tim wrote a song about her so we will always know that she was a great person, and she will always be in our hearts... She will always be running through our minds.

Bree Anderson