Anamarie. When I think of Anamarie I can’t help but think of her famous effervescent
smile. It was beautiful and so was she.
I first met
Anamarie on the sidelines of a soccer or lacrosse game. I had heard nice things
about her as our husbands worked together at the same large fire department. We
were at a point in our lives where the children were too big to be hanging out at
the firehouse with their dads for dinner or visiting Santa at Christmas therefor
we had not met one another yet. Instead, we had five children between our two
families and loads of their many activities to occupy our time. I looked
forward to the upcoming sports’ seasons and getting to know she, her husband
and children better.
What did I learn? Though she had
beautiful brown hair and skin she was a shade-seeker just like myself. She had
a mellow persona and had positive energy. She was close with her children. I
know this because Whitney, her daughter, hung out on the sidelines to cheer for
her brother on a consistent basis. I’m sorry, unless you have a particularly
close bond with your children, no teenager is hanging out with mom on a
Saturday afternoon. And again on Sunday. In the heat, no less.
I also know family was important
because her son spoke highly of his mom and allowed her to joke and tease him
and cheer for him on the sidelines. She would wear her big straw hat and
sunglasses and cheer for that boy like no one’s business. And when he had
problems with his leg she was there on the sidelines, supporting him while he
was standing alongside the players with his crutches. And her husband would
stroll in just as the game was starting as he’d been off doing his thing. She’d
smile and greet him warmly. Their marriage was one that projected goodness. And
I know family was important because there was talk of cousins and dinners and
parties. Lots of them.
Anamarie
was kind-hearted too. And generous. She was a reliable carpool mom as we carted
our boys to and from practices. And she was a mean holiday cookie baker as my
stomach well remembers. She was caring. I know this because she’d met my
parents over the years. As my dad battled cancer Anamarie would chat and visit
and make them feel welcome. The last game my dad attended due to his worsening
cancer, she sat with us the entire time. Whenever I saw her after that the
first thing out of her mouth was, “How’s your dad doing?” In return, she had
made an impression on my parents and they would always ask about her.
Just before
Father’s day nearly five years ago Anamarie left us all too soon because of a ruptured
brain aneurysm. It was very unexpected and shocked her family, co-workers, the
fire department, soccer and lacrosse teams, the local school and neighborhood
families and more. I remember having to call my parents and tell them. My dad
moaned when he heard and my mom was grieved. The death of our lovely beautiful
Anamarie was cruel. Everyone agreed.
Nearly five
years ago, another young vibrant woman, Cindy Sherwin, was training for an
Ironman race. While biking she suddenly suffered from a ruptured brain aneurysm
and died. The “Team Cindy” organization
was formed in her memory.
When I learned of the opportunity
to participate in the Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon for “Team Cindy,” raising
money for The Brain Aneurysm Foundation I read about Cindy and immediately
thought of Anamarie. I knew right away I wanted to participate. I wanted to raise money and awareness for the
only nonprofit organization dedicated to providing critical awareness,
education, support and research funding to reduce the incidence of brain
aneurysm ruptures.
I wanted to make both Cindy’s
family, and Anamarie’s family know that maybe lives will be saved with the
monies raised.
That is my hope.
Together we can make a difference.
Please donate.
To donate or learn more about The Brain Aneurysm Foundation please go to this link:
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