In Loving Tribute to Grandma Taylor
When the Royals first came to Us, a friendship developed between me and Auntie Deb. Deb is the consummate mom: wanting to know daily the growing up and escapades of Brutus and Marigold.Our phone calls became daily, and included how her daughters were growing into women, recipe exchanges, and all manner of things.
One morning I woke up with a verse in my head that something told me was from the Bible, but I couldn't place it. When I spoke to Deb later that day, I asked her if she was familiar with it, and she too had "heard it somewhere" but couldn't place where.
"I know who can answer this!" and she made a three-way call to Grandma Taylor.
An introduction over the phone was as good as in person, and Mrs. Taylor immediately became someone I wished I could spend hours with!
Deb had me recite the bits and pieces of the mystery scripture to her, and she, too was puzzled.
It was agreed she would "look into it" and get back to Deb.
While we chatted on the phone, I was doodling with searches, and finally came across where the lines from my dream came from: The Prayer of St Francis of Assisi.
Deb immediately called her very much loved Mother-in-law back and told her that we had found it. By that time, Grandma Taylor had her Bible research books out and was puzzling and searching away for those familiar words! She was glad (and maybe a tad relieved!) that I had finally found the tricky lines within a "Catholic" poem, and that would explain why she couldn't place it in the Bible, as well!
In my memories, I have a vivid picture of a vivacious God- devoted woman who would be a formidable opponent for her brilliant Grand-daughters, Tatum and Sloane on any board game imagined.
Well into her 80's she provided the "Car-pool" Sunday mornings to safely usher her friends, or whoever needed the ride, to Services at Church, and returned them safely home.
"Unable are the loved to die. For love is Immortality"
Emily Dickinson
St. Francis is the Patron Saint of Animals. The Prayer written by him is befitting and comforting, and I would like to share it with you here.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
Oh Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we recieve;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
To the Taylor Family,
Our most sincere of condolences
are yours.
Our Father in Heaven will see you through,
and heal your pain.
May he bless you all.
With greatest affection,
Brutus
Marigold
Emily
and Rose
