Kenneth Richard Anderson (Kenan Derson, SAG-AFTRA) was one of the greatest human beings I have ever met--let alone having the great fortune of falling in love with him.

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Though he'd had cancer three times before we met in 2001, these occurrences hadn't left him embittered or angry that he'd lost his left leg below his knee to combat it. He refused to be defined by cancer.

Instead, he used it to entertain and inform. He was a patient teacher who loved sharing his unusual perspective with others. 

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In 2009, he was re-diagnosed, and we hoped the 2010 removal of the rest of his left leg and pelvis would buy us some time. It didn't. The cancer returned by autumn, and by March of 2011, Ken came home for hospice care. Make no mistake, there were dark moments, but during those nine weeks of hospice, our home was filled with people, love, and laughter. Again, Ken wouldn't submit. He led us gracefully through the entire experience with humor and love. 

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Loving Ken changed my life. Changed me. Losing him did the same.

 

Both for the better.