My Beloved

Anne Keys Chapman died at home April 23, 2009, after a long illness. Born August 24, 1930 in Erwin, Tennessee, she was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Anne (Bogle) Keys. She is survived by her husband, Elbert F. Chapman, Jr., and many relatives and friends who all loved her deeply. It was her wish to be cremated and have her ashes scattered in the Colorado mountains she loved so much. Memorial contributions may be made to the Denver Hospice or a charity of choice. Our deepest thanks to all who helped, loved and cared for Anne. The Chapman, Bogle and Keys families.

Above is the obituary notice in the Denver post. It cannot in any way define the love she covered over hundreds of people throughout her life. I was blessed to be her niece -- to share special time with her alone. Oh, how I miss her. She died exactly a week after I returned to Dallas. I thank the Dear Lord above for that blessing of time to see her as her, just much skinnier.

She said she would tap everyone on the shoulder when she was gone. I wasn't going for that. I said she needed to be a butterfly. The irony is her burial plan was managed by the Monarch Society. Here, in our home, we are watching a Monarch emerge. Butterflies will have a unique significance to me the rest of my life on this earth.