Granny

Last week on January 25, my granny, Elsie Louise Herlyck, passed away. This Tuesday was her funeral. My brother said some words in her honor. Here is that speech.

"Owner of the cleanest Crawl space in town. Insisted that we mustn't waste, especially food. Always willing to threaten and if need be use a pizza paddle to send her message. Proud owner of Ford LTD. Dated and covered everything. Just about everyone received at least one article or newspaper clipping from her. Invented scrapbooking before creative memories existed. Cutting out obituaries on page 2 of the Chieftan. The most talented painter I’ve ever seen, always able to get the most perfect edges free hand. The most frugal of savers, like the time she worked late to save to buy bikes for her daughters. Loved to visit with people and spend time with people, always quick to offer them passels and patizza, when on hand. Enjoyed a good worry, her way to show that she thought about us over and over, concerned for what might happen to those she loved. Loved and cared for her grandchildren whether it was to provide food, shelter or a special gift, she let people know they were important.Insisted on having guests clean their shoes, enough said there, p. s. it will keep your carpet clean. Diligent woman, always able to make a sale. Put others before herself. Self sufficient mentality born out of the great depression, letting others know that she had felt what it was like to do without and thus insisting on others making do.

A few years ago I called Grannie to wish her happy Birthday. And we spoke for some time, I of course wished her a happy day and we talked about how things were going. I knew this was a huge opportunity to share some thoughts with her as an adult. I reminded her of the time she said always save your pennies, because you never know when that penny might make a dollar. I told her I loved her and said goodbye. You see, in all these ways, so much of what we learned from Grannie was done through action and not words.

You see in so many ways Grannie took care of herself, never wanting to be in an imposition. But there was one thing that she had to rely on God and specifically Christ for. That was her salvation. Grannie had accepted Christ as her savior confident that he had forgiven her sins. With this knowledge we have the hope of seeing Grannie again. If you know Christ you can bet on seeing her again one day in heaven, too and I know she looks down on us today, free from pain and restored to her savior."

Granny with her childhood friend, Francis

Fishing at Pueblo Reservoir

Granny with Molly and Makennon

Love you granny. Thank you for all you did. It made a difference to me, and I know I'm not the only one.