Granny Nila

The "Nila" part was short for Cornelia.  Somehow, not really "neil" at all, but more like the end of the word vanilla.  Granny was rather tall, maybe 5,9 or so and I'm told she had dark black hair in her younger years, though of course I only remember it gray.  She was always slender and often wore a pink tone of lipstick.  Her hair was always done just so and her voice was soft and kind.  I only heard her raise her voice a time or two and even then, only to project the volume and not in anger.  She was slow to speak and never spoke out of turn.  If she disagreed with someone, she'd make it known, but in a polite manner.  Often times, you could read in her beautiful eyes that she may disagree by the look and the slight raise of her eyebrows.  She often sat with her legs crossed and was content to allow others to chat about.  Some might have even considered her shy, but I just think she was humble and modest.  


Many of my earliest and fondest memories of her are those when she'd take me to church with her.  I remember her taking me by the hand as a small child and introducing me to everyone.  She was always so excited when we were able to make it to church with her.  


Now that I'm grown and am about to say goodbye to my beloved Granny Nila, I can look back and admire even more than just her banana split pudding and peanut butter rolls.  Her home was always immaculately clean, she was always prepared for anything, willing to try anything, and perhaps what I admire most...She was Christ-like.  She never once hurt my feelings.  Never once did I hear a cross word come from her lips.  She never once made anyone feel guilty for not going to church and was fervent in her prayer life.  She prayed for people that she rarely saw, met only once, or only heard of.  


I regret that I probably never let her know just how special and admirable she was.  I pray that God gives me the courage to be half the woman, mother, wife, mother-in-law, friend, and above all, Christian that she was.  I rest in the peace of knowing that she is in His arms.  What a sweet reunion she must be having with our beloved Pa.  


Thank you God for giving us Granny Nila.  Thank you, Granny for the wonderful memories, the cherished times together.  We shall never forget.  I pray we all find our way to that sweet resting place to reunite with her again one day.  For what a celebration we should have today to rejoice in the wonderful life God gave her!