Quite a few of you asked what happened to Ann so I thought I would tell you what I know.
Ann lived in her apartment with her son for several years. She found a job, made new friends and came over to our house every Thursday to play Canasta and every Sunday after church for lunch. Sadly, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor and had to have surgery. She moved back in with us so we could help care for her and her son. They stayed for about 6 months. During that time, she was on quite a bit of pain medication which was necessary at first but unfortunately led her back to drug addiction. She turned away from all who loved her and was lost again for a few years. Those years were miserable and many of us tried to help but it is a hopeless situation unless the person wants help. Eventually we lost all contact.
Several years passed with no word from Ann and then I received a letter from her. Through a series of events, she ended up in a year long rehab. She wrote about her journey and the part we had played in her life. It was a raw, emotion-filled letter that brought me to tears. I still have it and will never forget her words. There was no return address so I assumed she wasn’t ready to re-connect and might never be. That was ok because I had her heart in that letter. How could I not be forever thankful for that?
Several years later, Ann showed up at our front door. I hardly recognized her from the last time I had seen her. She was absolutely beautiful, clean and sober. We spent the entire day together, laughing, crying and catching up. She was getting married and wanted us to attend which we did. Shortly after the wedding, we moved out of state and lost touch with one another. I heard through friends that Ann passed away about four years ago. I have tried to find out what happened but can’t find anyone who knows. Here is what I do know:
I have recently found an address for her son and plan on writing to him. I also have contact information on her son that was adopted. I have heard he has a lot of questions about his birth mother. I would like to share her letter with them both. Ann was a wonderful human being whose spirit was broken at an early age. So many only saw that broken spirit. I want her boys to see the heart of the woman that was their mother.
23 comments:
You will be giving them such a gift to share your memories of their mother with them.
wow. That is a big story Marla.
Duckie xxxx
such a bittersweet story
Wow that story is straight out of a novel! I can't believe the ending to it all. I hope you are able to make contact with the children...just wow
WONDERFUL NEWS!... that she had some good seasons happen in her life, along with the bad.
Thanks for sharing this, Marla.
What a story. And you lived it. I admire your willingness to open your heart Marla. Somewhat risky, sometimes painful - always fulfilling.
I hope you can get in touch with Ann's boys. Keep us posted - I'm sure there's another story there...
Love you Marla. You are such an example to me of playing life "all in" - with love.
mate - I am so impressed. What you gave her was hope where she had previously had none. Her path was never going to be easy but you gave her the confidence to walk it.
I know I would have turned her away from the start - thank God everyone isn't like me.
Well, that made me cry. I love that you never really disappeared from each others' lives. That it was not a moment tied up in a bow that you moved on from, but that you were a part of the rest of each others' lives, even when you weren't communicating. I look forward to your next story.
So lovely - I hope the boys get comfort out of that.
you really are an inspiration to the rest of us. thank you so much for sharing this story. such a shame that ann is no longer with us but i bet her boys would love to hear more about their mother.
nice...i am glad she found a bit of hope along the way...
What an amazing story!
Wow! it seems like a novel! it is a nice story.. God took care of Ann but her life was hard and God says that Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God must have comforted her in heaven! it's interesting how God worked on her life and used you as a vessel to bless her. great!
Marla, that whole saga is very touching. Thanks to your generosity, and her own strength, she was able to experience true happiness in this lifetime. The letter that you have to share will be such a gift to both of her sons.
Hugs,
xoRobyn
Thank you for sharing with us this wonderful story! The boys will love hearing all your memories of their mother!
Your memory of, and the letter from their mom will be the most treasured gifts to the boys.
You do have a lot of stories Marla. Ever consider putting those in a book?
Anyway, you have such a pure heart. And you see the good in others. What a gift.
Thank you for the rest of Ann's story (and yours).
You changed her life.
How many of us can say we've done that for someone else?
Wow...how fabulous...
I think the new name for you is:
(drum roll here)
St. Marla
Enuf said!
Lisa
This story is so real it makes my heart hurt.
All of it. The bits where life shoots from a hidden place and trips us up perhaps and the parts where we win and triumph.
I worked for Hazelden (drug rehab center) for eight years and saw and heard so many stories like this one. All of them break my heart.
Look at the difference you made.
You are such an amazing, giving person....
Lisa ~ Yeah, that's me. Saint Marla with horns. :-)
..I refrained from making reference about the "horns"...
see, God took care of that for me!
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