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]
I cant stop crying and smiling. I love her so much. Family Functions like Christmas are NEVER going to be the same without her yelling at me for being a “CAFONE”.
I cant stop crying and smiling. I love her so much. Family Functions like Christmas are NEVER going to be the same without her yelling at me for being a “CAFONE”.
Oh, Shawn. Not only were you one of gramma ev’s FIRST fans, but you may have been her BIGGEST fan. I know how YOU feel about her. Thank you so much for your kind words. I love you.
Thanks, Dan.
Sarah,thank you sweety. And yeah, she knew how to rock a bathing suit alright!
xoxox
She will definitely live forever in my heart. Thank you for being SO supportive through this, Linda. You’ve been a good friend to me.
Thank you, Nicky. I already miss her terribly. But, I do have a plethora of video’s that have never been ‘published’ chock-filled with “Ev-isms” – and watching those make me feel close to her again.
Treasure the memories, and the joy she brought to you. Mo x
Thank you MWJ. I truly appreciate that.
Thanks, Slyde.
Thank you.
Aw. I will. Thank you MO!
xoxoxo
She sure had a way of making people laugh. I’ve been watching movies of her all morning, crying and laughing. She was amazing. Thank you, Jaffer. I know she made you laugh too.
Aw. I will. Thank you – MO!
xoxo
I don’t know if it was your editing skills or what, but my favorite part was in the transition of the song from slow to fast where your Gramma flips off the camera and then waves her arms in the air to a sudden disco beat to the words “Let’s dance”. This was a very beautiful post, Meleah and I’m sorry for your loss. Take care of your exhausted self – you are in my thoughts today, sweetie.
Thanks, Margaret.
I had a REALLY difficult time editing this one – because I am still so emotional. I’m glad to know some of the timing works well. I am completely drained, and utterly exhausted, but quite frankly interaction on the internet is helping me deal with this a lot. I find a lot of comfort in everyone’s comments. And, I may even get around to reading other blogs to distract myself until the wake/funeral on Thursday / Friday.
Oh, Meleah, what a great loss this is for your entire family. You are certainly right when you suppose that many of us have come to love her through your stories, photos, and videos. I sure will miss any new material she would have provided you with, but I’m glad that she was able to be a part of such a wonderful family for so long. And I know you will do her memory justice and that you will always carry some of her with spirit with you. I look forward to seeing you both in the future here on your blog. But many hugs and warm thoughts to you and yours as you adjust to the physical loss in your lives.
Oh my goodnes, I’m so sorry to read about your loss. This post made me tear up. Great way to honor her too in this post. Great pictures. My heart goes out to you and your family. She’s in a much better place, you know this.
Thank you, Teeni.
Thank you.
**** I JUST FINISHED REVISING & RE-EDITING THE MOVIE PHOTO MONTAGE. IT ONLY TOOK 40+HOURS TO MAKE. BUT NOW, IT’S FINALLY PERFECT. *****
Sending you a BIG hug, my Libra friend…..
(((((((((( Meleah ))))))))))
X ya!
Yes, I’ve grown verrrrrry fond of her indeed ? And I love the music you chose for her video!…& I just BETCHA she’s dancing her ass off with the angels rite now! Not only that, but giving them all advice & telling the ones who have beards to SHAVE! 😉
I love you…..God Bless Gramma Ev ???
very touching slide show and lovely tibute. life really is so short, but from the photos i can see she was blessed in many ways. so sorry for your loss. i love the dragonfly metaphor. hugs to you
p.s. was that you in the snow white costume?
Oh man, they better NOT have any angels with beards! Ahahahhahahahahah.
That was her favorite song. I posted the other version of the movie even though it wasn’t ready this morning. Im SO glad I was able to FINALLY make it perfect for her.
Thanks, Shawn. I love you too.
Meleah, I’m so sorry to hear about your grandma. I’m fairly new to blogging and it still amazes me how we come to know each other without ever meeting, and when someone in our community loses someone, we feel it just as if we were face-to-face friends. You and you family are in my prayers. Your post is a lovely tribute.
Bud
Christine, thank you so very much.
To answer your question, NO. In fact, I’m not in ANY of the photos, not until AFTER the last picture.
Thank you, Bud.
I feel the same way about all of my blog-buddies. And, as a matter of fact, I am counting on all of you to help me get through this. Okay?
I’m so sorry for your loss, Meleah! My dad suffered a stroke last November, and though he had a 99% full recovery it was the scariest time of my life during that time we didn’t know what was going to happen or how bad it was. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Thank you, Jules. I can only imagine how scary that must have been for you. Im so glad to know your father recovered. Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated.
Thanks Ron.
You know – I am counting on my blog-buddies, like you, to help me get through this difficult time.
xoxoxox
Oh, Meleah, I’m so sorry for your loss. Your story and the pictures made me laugh and cry all at the same time. Thank you for letting me get to know Gramma Evelyn through your blog. Clearly, she will be greatly missed.
You’re very welcome, Terri. It’s been a pleasure sharing her with all of you.
The updated version is so good. What a beautiful woman. What a rich and full life she had. The black and white photos are stunning. And in the later photos you can just tell what a great sense of humour she had. She has a constant twinkle in her eye. She will be greatly missed. I am so sorry you have had to say goodbye to her. Rest in peace, Gramma Ev. You touched my life too!
Oh, Selma! Thank you SO much for coming back to see the updated version of my tribute video. That means so much to me. And I am so touched by your comment. You are such a wonderful friend.
Just wanted to let you know that I stopped back to watch the updated version of the video and LOVED IT!!!!!!
Of course, I cried again too.
Hope you’re doing okay, my friend.
((((((( Meleah )))))))
X ya!
I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful video you did!. I loved watching it. My prays go out to the family and friends she has touched along the way. I can say the one thing I remember about your grandmother… was her smile, her smile would brighten up a room. May she rest in peace and be your angle watching over you always. God be with you…
I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful video you did!. I loved watching it. My prays go out to the family and friends she has touched along the way. I can say the one thing I remember about your grandmother… was her smile, her smile would brighten up a room. May she rest in peace and be your angle watching over you always. God be with you…
My brother sends you his condolences to you and your family and passes you comforting words during your difficult time.
Oh Ron, THANK YOU! You are absolutely wonderful. I’m crying again too, [but in a good way].
Jaffer, please tell him a sincere thank you from me.
Thank you, June. She really was one hellova woman.
absolutely beautiful and a touching story, meleah. the video was awesome too, definitely made me laugh and cry. that’s some tribute to your grandma, girlfriend. well done.
Great story meleah, I’m going to start telling it to my grandaughter, and every time I’ll think of your Grandma Evelyn and everyone who is close to me that has moved on. I’m so sorry for your loss. That video was great! Grandma Evelyn was a stylish hottie in her day. ,
What a wonderful tribute to Gramma Evelyn, Meleah! I’m sure she’s delighting in being a dragonfly!
Thanks Valerie. I like to think she’d be proud.
She really had a great sense of style in her day! Thank you, Madge.
I like to think so too. Thank you.
Meleah, I’m so sorry for your loss. That was a truly wonderful story, so beautiful. I’m thinking about you and sending you tons of hugs, honey.
Times like this is when friends truly rally; and though distance keeps us from being closer, know that I am there with you, in your heart, holding your hand or passing you the tissues, or opening yet another bottle of wine and drinking it with you, whatever you need…