P Elizabeth Anderson

Despite what you are told, know that I died on March 1, 2024 when my deeply loved husband Norman (Dr. Norman B. Anderson) died in Duke University Medical Center, following an avoidable and shocking mistake during an elective, orthopedic surgery. 

So, I am happy to be gone. Be happy for me! I'm done. Hope my departure wasn't hard or prolonged, but it's finally over. I'm off to a hot vinyasa yoga studio in the sky!

Norman gave me my best life for 40 years, and without him, life meant nothing. I simply did not want to be where he was not alive.

My calling to be a writer began in childhood. As a proud, longtime member of the American Society of Authors and Journalists and The Authors Guild, I created work of which I was very proud, initially relying on my nearly 20 years of experience in clinical pharmaceutical research to be a medical writer. My favorite position was as Health Writer for the Providence Journal. Peter Phipps was the best editor imaginable, and he fostered my best articles. I won two awards from the American Heart Association with Peter's guidance. I was one of the first journalists to write about the unique symptoms of women's heart attacks, compared to those of men. I loved health writing, particularly the book Norman and I wrote together, Emotional Longevity. After our second doggy daughter died, my animal advocacy gave me purpose, and I was especially proud of my solo book, The Powerful Bond Between People and Their Pets. This was one of the first books to assert with verifiable evidence that we authentically love our companion animals. (See PEIizabethAnderson.com) Recently, I was proud of becoming certified to teach mindfulness meditation and sharing that practice with Buddhist sanghas and other groups. Teaching mindfulness meditation was an interest inspired by Norman, but it was too painful to continue without him. Destiny at work, Norman and I learned Transcendental Meditation at the same time, but many years before we met, while living in different states. He epitomized the benefits of a daily, decades-long practice of meditation and mindful living. I wish I had embraced both sooner than I did.

I entered this physical life in arguably the greatest city in the world, New York City, in the borough of Manhattan (never you mind when!). I spent most of my life in the DMV (DC, MD, VA), and I was never really happy elsewhere. After the surgical mistake, Norman planned our relocation to Maryland by the end of 2024 to be more near friends, his family, and better medical care. We certainly enjoyed our time in Providence, and thought of returning, but most of my life (and our lives together) was spent in the DMV. As much as I was a City Mouse who needed the vibrancy of a city to survive, I was never more fulfilled—outside of a hot yoga studio (looking at you Patty and your DDY Flagship in Georgetown!)—than when I was with a horse or a dog, hanging out in dirt, dust, or hay. My soul burst forth with undeniable joy while mucking stables in New Mexico and getting to really know horses. I thank the Universe for Connie C. and Ben B. at Tamaya Horse Rehab for accepting me as a barn rat. That place was my heaven on earth. When Covid hit, I didn't think I'd ever see Tamaya again, but Norman took Ginger and me back there in the summer of'23, our last vacation. We all enjoyed that long-awaited and much-needed trip.

If I did anything to help make life better for farmed, wild, or companion animals, then my life meant something. I wish I had done more. Please pick up where I left off.

There are some things I wish I had done differently, such as cultivating more friends, and not striving so often for perfection in myself. I cherished the people who extended their understanding and regular presence in my life.

Norman's complete and unconditional love and support gave me wings. His love was profound and granted me A Wonderful Life, (one of his favorite movies). The lyrics of Celine Dion's song says it all, "I am everything I am because [he] loved me."

My love for Norman is ineffable. I pray that I walked into his arms as he greeted me with our doggy daughters, Miss Muffin, Amazing Grace, Mani Nicole, and Ginger Karma Bliss.

Anyone so inclined to donate in my memory, please give whatever you can to the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, the National Kitten Coalition, or to your favorite local rescue or no-kill shelter. No tree purchases please! As my journey closed, I gained understanding and even more respect for people who are well, but still interested in compassionate endings. I invite you to learn more here: https://amzn.to/4b0dO8Y or https://nyti.ms/4hJvohT.

"As he is now
I longed to be.
I only wanted 
to return to we."

Love really is all there is, and now I'm with mine. pea