It's been 10 years since the passing of Auburn alumnus Seth Griffin's mother, but the reminder of her presence on Earth will live forever.
Anne Jones Griffin was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998, and after four years of treatment, she passed away Oct. 16, 2002.
As a way to commemorate the 10th anniversary of her passing Tuesday, Oct. 16, Seth recently published the journal she kept during those four years.
"Not a moment or day goes by when I don't think about her," Seth said. "She is a constant presence in my life."
The journal was passed down to Seth, and he said it contains remarkable entries of poems and drawings all telling of her battle through breast cancer.
"Every year on the anniversary of her death, I will always take that opportunity to tell new people that I have met over the year about her," Seth said. "I wanted to do everything that I had been doing, but on a broader scale with the journal, to make sure that everyone knew she's still a huge part of my life."
Seth published "From the Journal of Anne Griffin" through Blurb.com and released it on Facebook for his family and friends.
"I already had the pages scanned on my computer in case something ever happened to them, and putting the book together was really nothing I did," Seth said. "She did all the work with her journal."
Seth also included a piece he had written two months after scattering Anne's ashes off the coast of Gulf Shores.
In his piece, titled "The Butterfly," Seth recalls a trip to Auburn the Saturday after Anne's passing.
"Auburn had been a sanctuary of sorts for Anne and me," Seth wrote. "We always knew that no matter what stresses we were facing in our everyday lives, a visit to Auburn meant an escape. It's like that first night back in your bed after a long travel."
Both Seth and Anne graduated from Auburn -- Anne in 1973 in education, and Seth in 2000 in visual arts.
"She always had a big love for Auburn more than anything," Seth said. "Once I heard about Toomer's being poisoned, I took my daughter to Auburn to make sure she got to see the trees. I feel the closest to (Anne) in Auburn."
Anne taught children with learning disabilities at Hueytown High School for most of her career, and she ended her career at Homewood Middle School teaching special education after a brief time at Lakeshore Rehabilitation Hospital teaching those with head injuries.
"Her whole life was spent teaching those with disabilities and special needs," Seth said. "She was extremely loving and caring, and she would much rather give than receive."
Seth said Anne's constant compassionate presence in his life molded who he is today.
"I don't stress about anything anymore," Seth said. "I don't get worked up about anything because having gone through what I did with my mom, things like deadlines for work aren't life or death. The main thing is perspective."
Seth said he hopes those who read Anne's journal will see that same perspective.
"Over these 10 years, I've had friends who have lost loved ones and have gone through rough patches in their lives, too," Seth said. "(The journal) is a kind of inspiration for them to just see that even though you lose someone, they're still in your life in some way."
Proceeds from Anne's journal will go toward the arbor at the Birmingham Botanical Garden in her memory. To purchase the journal, search "From the Journal of Anne Griffin" at Blurb.com.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
