As per my Uncle Rick’s request, I would like to honor my Gramma Evelyn’s passing, with the story below.
The Waterbug Story
Down below the surface of a quiet pond lived a little colony of waterbugs. They were a happy colony, living far away from the sun. For many months they were very busy, scurrying over the soft mud on the bottom of the pond. They did notice that every once in a while one of their colony seemed to lose interest in going about with its friends. Clinging to the stem of a pond lily, it gradually moved out of sight and was seen no more.
“Look!” said one of the waterbugs to another, one of our colony is climbing up the lily stalk. Where do you think she’s going?” Up, up, up it slowly went. Even as they watched, the waterbug disappeared from sight. It’s friends waited and waited but it didn’t return. “That’s funny!” said one waterbug to another,”Wasn’t she happy here?” asked a second, “Where do you suppose she went?” wondered a third.
No one had an answer. They were greatly puzzled. Finally one of the waterbugs gathered its friends together. “I have an idea. The next one of us who climbs up the lily stalk must promise to come back and tell us where he or she went and why.” “We promise,” they said solemnly.
One spring day not long after the very waterbug who had suggested the plan, found himself climbing up the lily stalk. Up, up, up he went. Before he knew what was happening, he had broken through the surface of the water and had fallen into the broad and free lily pad above. When he awoke, he looked about with surprise. He couldn’t believe what he saw. A startling change had come over his old body. His movement revealed four silver wings and a long tail. Even as he struggled, he felt an impulse to move his wings. The warmth of the sun soon dried the moisture from his new body. He moved his wings again and suddenly found himself above the water. He became a dragonfly.
Swooping and dipping in great curves, he flew through the air. He felt exhilarated in the new atmosphere. By and by the new dragonfly landed happily on a lily pad to rest. That was when he chanced to look below to the bottom of the pond. Why, he was right above his old friends, the waterbugs! There they were scurrying around, just as he had been doing sometime before.
Then the dragonfly remembered the promise. Without thinking, the dragonfly darted down. Suddenly he hit the surface of the water and bounced away. Now that he was a dragonfly, he could no longer go into the water…. “I can’t return” he said in dismay. “At least I tried. But I can’t keep my promise. Even if I could go back, not one of the water bugs would know me in my new body. I guess I’ll just have to wait until they become dragonflies too. Then they’ll understand what has happened to me, and where I went.” And the dragonfly winged off happily into a wonderful new world of sun and air.
Evelyn became a dragonfly on February 15, 2011 at 5:36am and I’m so glad. Because now she can soar as high as she wants to, along with her husband Ernie and still watch us through the pond which separates us. I feel a great peace in knowing that one day we’ll be together on the same lily pad, soaking up the warm rays of the sun.
*Most of you have come to know, and love my Grandmother Evelyn, simply through this blog. You’ve seen her photos, you’ve laughed at her video’s, and you’ve read her stories. She was an extraordinary woman. I am blessed to have had her in my life. I will never forget the life lessons she taught me. And I will be quoting her for many years to come. I am going to miss her very much.
This is how I will always remember her….
Gramma Evelyn, you will live forever, in my heart. See you on the other side.
[RIP Evelyn Josephine Colonna: 1/15/1925 – 2/15/2011]
Meleah I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your grandma. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family. The story and the video are a fabulous way to honor to her and her life. I absolutely loved the photo of her doing a headstand.
Loved the story of the dragonfly Meleah. Thoughts with you and your family.
I so sorry to hear of her passing. A touching story and video, fitting tributes.
Meleah, I am so very sorry for you and your family. I know that Grandma Ev was a special part of your life and she will be missed by everyone. I love the movie – it is a great reflection on her life and who she was. Your tribute is touching as well. I know she is at peace. Thank you for sharing her with the rest of us. I feel blessed for knowing her, even if it is only through your postings. Our hearts and prayers are with you.
I am crying my eyes out and I only know her through what you have written about her. That’s how much she touched people. The dragonfly story – I can’t even talk after reading that it was so beautiful. I am so sad she is gone. She made the world so much brighter. But I love to think of her has a dragonfly. Every time I see one I will think of her. Rest well, Gramma Ev. You were one in a million. Thinking of you and all your family at this very sad time, Meleah. XXX
(((Meleah & family)))
I also love the way you depicted her, as a dragonfly. They are very special to me. I have a 2 1/2″ dragonfly on my left back shoulder and the symbolism behind them is wonderful. Taken from a site I’ve been to on dragonflies:
* Maturity and a Depth of character
The dragonfly, in almost every part of the world symbolizes change and change in the perspective of self realization; and the kind of change that has its source in mental and emotional maturity and the understanding of the deeper meaning of life.
The traditional association of Dragonflies with water also gives rise to this meaning to this amazing insect. The Dragonfly’s scurrying flight across water represents an act of going beyond what’s on the surface and looking into the deeper implications and aspects of life.
* Power and Poise
The dragonfly’s agile flight and its ability to move in all six directions exude a sense of power and poise – something that comes only with age and maturity.
The dragonfly can move at an amazing 45 miles an hour, hover like a helicopter fly backwards like a hummingbird, fly straight up, down and on either side. What is mind blowing is the fact that it can do this while flapping its wings a mere 30 times a minute while mosquitoes and houseflies need to flap their wings 600 and 1000 times a minute respectively.
The awe inspiring aspect is how the dragonfly accomplishes its objectives with utmost simplicity, effectiveness and well, if you look at proportions, with 20 times as much power in each of its wing strokes when compared to the other insects. The best part is that the dragonfly does it with elegance and grace that can be compared to a veteran ballet dancer. If this is not a brazen, lazy, overkill in terms of display of raw power, what is?
* Defeat of Self Created Illusions
The dragonfly exhibits iridescence both on its wings as well as on its body. Iridescence is the property of an object to show itself in different colors depending on the angle and polarization of light falling on it.
This property is seen and believed as the end of one’s self created illusions and a clear vision into the realities of life. The magical property of iridescence is also associated with the discovery of one’s own abilities by unmasking the real self and removing the doubts one casts on his/her own sense of identity. This again indirectly means self discovery and removal of inhibitions.
* Focus on living ‘IN’ the moment
The dragonfly normally lives most of its life as a nymph or an immature. It flies only for a fraction of its life and usually not more than a few months. This adult dragonfly does it all in these few months and leaves nothing to be desired. This style of life symbolizes and exemplifies the virtue of living IN the moment and living life to the fullest. By living in the moment you are aware of who you are, where you are, what you are doing, what you want, what you don’t and make informed choices on a moment-to-moment basis.
This ability lets you live your life without regrets like the great dragonfly.
* The opening of one’s eyes
The eyes of the dragonfly are one of the most amazing and awe inspiring sights. Given almost 80% of the insect’s brain power is dedicated to its sight and the fact that it can see in all 360 degrees around it, it symbolizes the uninhibited vision of the mind and the ability to see beyond the limitations of the human self. It also in a manner of speaking symbolizes a man/woman’s rising from materialism to be able to see beyond the mundane into the vastness that is really our Universe, and our own minds.
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What a wonderful way to pay tribute to your grandma. She sounds like an amazing woman.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Meleah.
~ZZ
Meleah, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go to your family at this difficult time. May all your wonderful memories help you find comfort.
Aw, sweetie. I’m sorry about your gramma. I love that so many of your pictures show her surrounded by a giant mass of family. That’s a lotta love there. I’ll be thinking of you.
What an uplifting story. I’ve always loved dragonflies. As you so beautifully wrote, your grandmother has moved on to another realm. Keep her alive with all the great memories and stories. Hugs to you.
I am so sorry for your loss..Evelyn was one hell of a woman!!! Her “Evelyn-isms” will live on forever through you!! Her memory will go on in all the hearts for those of us who were lucky enough to know her.What you wrote about her in this blog is truly a beautiful tribute to a “one of a kind” woman! <3
What a beautiful tribute. I felt so much love looking at those pictures. You and your family are in my prayers. Hugs, Meleah XXOO
Hugs love. I’m sorry she’s not with you anymore, but I too am glad she’s a dragonfly. HUGS
I’m so sorry that you have lost your Gramma Eve, but glad that it was speedy at the end for her. What a beautiful story, and I love the video tribute.
What a lady she was!
I’m so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing… The dragonfly story and the video are just beautiful! My thoughts and prayers are with you all… Love, Andrea
I like the slide show; it celebrates her life, rather than mourning her passing.
Best wishes to all of your family.
Meleah, I am so sorry about Grandma Ev.
Ah, Meleah. What a perfect way to share your grandmother’s passing. I don’t think I’ll ever think of a dragonfly in quite the same way. It’s been almost four years since I first came here and “met” you and Gramma Ev, but in that time (even when I’m not around as often as I used to be) it has been a pleasure to laugh with you, celebrate in your successes, and then feel sadness in times like this. How lucky you were to have had such a spirited person in your life. Big hugs to you.
Gramma Evelyn will make a hilarious dragonfly! My mum became a dragonfly too, 2 & half years ago….she also happens to be a producer, so I’m sure she’s gonna want to give Evelyn a starring role in one of the heavenly productions! xoxo
An amazing tribute to an amazing woman!
I’m sitting here both smiling and crying, watching this wonderful video.
Rest in Peace, Grandma Evelyn.
You are loved!
X
Awwwwwwwww……what a beautiful story & video and what an amazing woman she was & life she had! Altho’ I never met Gramma Ev I’ve grown to love her thru’ your stories & videos & truly admire her feisty spirit…. she will be missed. Am sending you and your dear family my deepest sympathy, love & prayers Mealah…. I love you! ~xoxo
Sorry to hear about her passing. Will continue to keep you and your family in my thoughts.
Sorry to hear about her passing. Will continue to keep you and your family in my thoughts.
Best tribute EVER Melz… I ADORE it and what a young foxy woman she was in some of those!!!! Besos 🙂
Meleah, I am so sorry that you lost your beloved Gramma. She was a very special lady and I know she will always live in your heart.
I’m so sorry Meleah. She will always live on…in your heart and in the stories you’ve shared with us. Sending you much love and hugs.
This is a beautiful tribute to a wonderful woman, Meleah. I’ll miss her, I know many of your fans will, and of course you will, too. I’m sending many hugs to you this week……
im very sorry for your loss, sweetie…
your grandma was very beautiful.. and im sure you’ve heard this before but you definitely have her features…
That is such a beautiful story but it is still SO VERY SAD :*(
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this extremely difficult time.
Thank you CG. That is one of my favorite photos of her too.
It would have come as a shock to me, had you not mentioned before that Grandma Ev was not doing well.
Grandma Ev gave me many laughs and smiles through her extraordinary grand-daughter. And I am honoured to have known her … if only through photos and videos … all the while she was on this side.
Keep Smiling !
(sniff)
:’)
Thank you, Rog. I love that story too.
Thank you, Jim. And your emails [even though I may not answer all of them] have been lifting my spirits.
Thanks, Agg.
It was very hard to put this together in such a short amount of time, I believe at one point I was awake for over 32+ consecutive hours – so it may not be my ‘best work’ video style. It’s a little hard to get the ‘timing right’ when your looking at photos through so many tears. But, I did my best. Im glad to know you appreciated her too.
Selma, my heart aches so much right now.
I’m glad she lived to be 86 years old. She was the best mother and grandmother ANYONE could ask for. We are so blessed to have had her this long. She had a long run and she really did touch the lives of everyone she came in contact with. I already miss her.
Thank you.
Thanks, Anne. I appreciate that.
Oh she was certainly loved. When I spent the last day of her life, with her, in the nursing home, I was amazed to see how much all of the staff loved her. One by one, nearly every employee came into the room to say good bye to her. That was something I’ll never forget.
Oh she was certainly loved. When I spent the last day of her life, with her, in the nursing home, I was amazed to see how much all of the staff loved her. One by one, nearly every employee came into the room to say good bye to her. That was something I’ll never forget.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Oh Aunt Lynda. I’ve been saying “Evelyn-isms” all day/night. And I will be saying them for the rest of my life. She really was a ONE OF A KIND WOMAN. I know I am TRULY lucky to have had her in my life.
Aw. Thanks, Robin. I miss her already.
I am able to find comfort in the fact that she is she is no longer suffering. Thank you, Courtney
What a lady indeed. Thanks, Babs.
🙂
She was my grandmother.
Thanks, BobG. That’s exactly what I intended.
Thanks, Nik. Me too.
You were one of Gramma Evelyn’s FIRST FANS! Thank you, KellyPea.
Thank you, Nadine. She’d love that.
Thank you, Nadine. She’d love that.