I have a very good friend who I love and adore because she is such a light in my life. I think her parents must have recognized her positive future as they named her after a flower and the mother, Mary.
I remember the day I met her more than 10 years ago. I was being trained to sell advertising for the Annandale Advocate. We went to her business, Anchor Dock and Lift, to confirm her ad for the newspaper. If all customers had been as pleasurable, I would still be selling ads today, but as it turns out I was not a good salesman, so I ended up working for her business instead of in the accounting area. We had so much fun. Her husband threatened to fire me on a daily basis for laughing too much.
We remained good friends even after they sold the business. Over the years we have cooked together for the Christ Child Luncheon, helped each other with various community activities and started the Field to Feast Community Dinner, now in its third year in Annandale.
On committees she is Switzerland. I say this as the greatest of compliments. Where others dig in and take a side, she finds a solution that works for everyone. I admire her graceful communication skills and most of all her positive attitude. She also makes no bones about it; she married the most handsome man in town. Think movie star with a cape as Don is the go-to superhero on Lake Sylvia.
I understand that I am lucky to have this wonderful column as a platform to honor my friend, Rose Mary, as most can only smile and nod in agreement. But I am so proud of her and her life. She has a rough road ahead of her, but she will face it all with grace and a positive outlook, that I have no doubt. So, whenever you look at a rose think of my friend. Buy that rose and take it home with you. As you see that rose each day, think to yourself, I am inspired to be an inspiration. All because you knew someone who has a dear friend named Rose Mary.
“She is more than a good woman
and a good person;
she is a beautiful soul
who carries light in her smile
and love in her bones.”
~ Pierre Jeanty
Taste of Home columnist Sandy (Anderson) Holthaus lives on a farm in South Haven, MN with her husband, Michael, and their children Zoe, Jack and Ben. Her heart remains on the North Shore where she grew up with her parents, Art and LaVonne Anderson of Schroeder. She enjoys writing about her childhood and mixes memories with delicious helpings of home-style recipes.
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