Taylor Roby's Essay Submission
An Inspiring Woman: Her grandmother DeeDee
There are many women in my life who have inspired me. Yet, no one has impacted me the way that my grandmother, DeeDee has. Both of my parents worked full-time when I was in grade school, so we went to our grandparents’ house every day after school. The amount of time that we spent over the years has created a special bond between us. DeeDee has been a constant in my life, and one of the most encouraging people that I know. She has shaped who I am and who I want to become.
DeeDee is 82 years-old, and is a wonderful narrator. Throughout my life she has told us old family stories. A certain story about my great-grandmother strikes me every time DeeDee tells it. It takes place in Milan, Indiana on the small family farm, where DeeDee and her ten siblings were raised. The children had grown up and moved out. My great-grandmother, Grandma Nicki, was there by herself that evening. She was in the kitchen, cleaning up. She often looked out of the window above the sink at the beautiful view across the farmland. She happened to glance out the window, but instead of clear skies, she saw darkness. She could see funnel clouds approaching her farm. The radio announced a severe tornado warning in Milan. Grandma Nicki rushed down in the cellar to wait out the storm.
The winds were so loud, that they mimicked the sound of a train. While Grandma Nicki sat all alone in the cellar, waiting and worrying, she did the only thing she knew to do; she began praying. Sitting on the steps, her hands clasped together tightly, she asked God to protect the farm and to keep her safe. Hours later, the storm had passed, and it was time to examine the damage. She climbed out of the cellar, walked outside, and saw the most unbelievable sight. The farm was completely untouched. She discovered the next day that all of the surrounding farms had been struck by the tornadoes. God answered her cry, protecting her and her farm. Many would say it was just coincidence, but for Grandma Nicki it was a divine miracle.
At a moment of despair, she could have panicked and lost all hope. Yet, Grandma Nicki remembered the power of prayer that God gives us. DeeDee illustrates it better, but each time I hear her tell that story, I am reminded of how alike they are and how important faith should be. DeeDee has taken the same powerful faith that she learned from her mother and has passed it down to my generation. She has been a constant encourager of my faith and is always supportive of me and my family. She is a shoulder to lean on or cry on. She is someone who gives more than she receives. She is my grandmother; my DeeDee. She has shaped who I am, and who I hope to become.