Ok... had to share this with everyone. Sorry if you don't feel the same way.
so :p
My grandma's name was Wilma Stella (Watkins) Taylor. She was born September 19, 1931 (approximately, because she didn't have an official birth certificate until she was enrolled in grade school). She married Leo Hale Taylor, October 2, 1949. They renewed their vows for their 25th wedding anniversary, October 2, 1974. And she was escorted into Heaven by her husband on October 1, 2005, one day before, what would have been her 57th wedding anniversary.
She was the strongest woman I have ever met. She was mother to 5 children, 4 by birth and 1 by adoption. She had 7 grandchildren, and at the time of her passing, had 7 great-grandchildren. She endured living through the Great Depression, raising children, overcame an illness that should have killed her, and grandchildren that would have probably made most women of her time faint on sight. She endured heart-break and still loved freely and completely. She tried to teach all of her children to love, fight, forgive, accept and endure. She was the quintessential Matriarch of our family. She was the rock that held our family together in times of trouble and she continued to grow in love and life until she left us.
She had traditional family values and wasn't one to be quick to a fight, but if provoked be prepared to face a wrath you've never seen before. She was never one to ask for anything. She could tickle you with the faintest touch. She had the warmest hugs. She had the friendliest smile. Not to mention, she was an amazing cook.
She was one of the biggest influences in my life. She helped teach me to cook. It’s because of her that I love to throw parties and organize gatherings. She showed me how. No matter what I did, she never seemed to give up on me – my cousin or my brother. And between the three of us, she should have had several heart attacks. But we were her most loyal. She showed us how to love and come together. She did her best to show us how to rely on each other. And eventually, it worked. She believed in us. That made us love her even more. If we could have repaid her for everything she taught us – we’d still be in debt to her. But that didn’t stop us from trying.
You never realize how much the little things mean to someone until someone else points them out. I was at the store with my mom today and she accidentally shocked me on the butt and for some reason that made me think of my grandma. We’d be in the middle of Wal-mart there in town and she’d walk past and goose you for no reason and then smile. Today I couldn’t help but wonder if she would be proud of me and what I’m doing. My mom told me that one of grandma’s philosophies on life was “You do whatever you have to, to take care of your family.” She said “And, that’s what you’re doing. What you’re doing isn’t easy. No one expected you to jump off a cliff in order to take care of your kids, but that’s what was necessary – and its hard work, but you’re doing it. You’re working hard. And that’s what she did. Work hard and take care of your family.”
I continue to believe that had I not turned my life over to God, I would not have had the strength to be where I am now, doing what I’m doing now. But, I’m pretty sure that my grandma is sitting in the wings gently nudging me and guiding me, along with my mother, to be as strong a woman as they are. I want to be like them. I can only hope to be even half of the women they are to me.
Grandma, I hope I make you proud.
