My Grandmother
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| Ronella Helquist Taylor November 10, 1932 - February 12, 2013 |
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| Helquist Family- My Grandpa Clip and Grandma Ronella were newleyweds (back left) |
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| Clip and Ronella Taylor and their children- Kendall, Catherine, Sharmayne, LaRayne and Anna |
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| Taylor Family 2004-- Shyler was about 4 months old |
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| Clip and Ronella Taylor |
My grandmother had beautiful handwriting. She told me many times about how in school they had to practice their handwriting and that she even practiced for hours and hours on her own. Even at 80, it was beautiful, curvy and a work of art-each note she wrote. She always had a pencil and piece of paper handy, to jot down a thought, or a number, or a quote she read.
When I was a little girl, I loved having sleepovers at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We got to sleep in the bedroom upstairs and it was pretty cool to have our own room to sleep in. I had a bit of a bed-wetting problem and Grandma always let me use the "Magic Spoon" at her house so I wouldn't wet the bed. Grandma even brought me my own "Magic Spoon" to use at my house. Somehow- that thing worked if I just rested it under my pillow at nights. I never did ask her where that idea came from.
Grandma loved the color yellow. Anything yellow brightened her day. Tomorrow at the funeral, we'll each be wearing something with yellow just for her. I picked out a bright yellow scarf that I know she will love. :)
Living just a few blocks away these past 10+ years has been such a blessing. This summer and fall, Shyler and her good friend spent many afternoons down at Grandma and Grandpa's house just hanging out and enjoying Grandpa's peeled apples, while Grandma shared stories with them. I could stop by frequently just to say hello.
I miss her. I found out just 2 weeks ago just how badly her heart had gotten. It just couldn't do the necessary work anymore. Since it wasn't something they could fix- they decided to just take her home. I went to see her almost every evening, and then every evening this last week. Each night she got a little weaker. Monday she just slept and slept. About 9:30, my mom called to tell me she had woken up. I ran back down to see her. I told her how much I love her, that I was going to miss her. Tuesday afternoon after work, mom called me to tell me to come down, it was time. I went over and joined the family gathered around her. We told her how much we love her, kissed her, hugged her. She couldn't respond anymore, but I know she wanted to. Grandpa sat by her side holding and rubbing her hand and telling her it was ok. We sang some hymns and talked. Later that evening she slipped away. I know she is ok. I know she's not sad. But I am so sad. Death is so hard. The way it makes you look back and wish you had spent more time sitting and talking. More time appreciating the silly phonecalls and voicemails Grandma would leave, just because she forgot to tell us something.
Grandma was so strong in her faith. She never wavered, never questioned, just wanted to share her happiness and her testimony. I'm sure she never wavered on what was next for her. She knew God's plan- she lived it all her life, and I'm sure she was ready for the next step. I hope that someday I can become like her, and as strong as her.
Tomorrow, Saturday, February 16, 2013- we will lay Grandma to rest.
"God Bless You 'Til We Meet Again"
