Life is a perfect balance of good and bad days, and there is no other perfect example than the story of Clarellen Solloway Mitchell. She is a woman who has closely seen grief and happiness. No matter how tough it got, the faith she clung to made her go through everything gracefully. Born in 1930, the lady got married to Paul at the age of nineteen; however, the marriage could only last for eight years, as her husband passed away in a tragic accident. The grief did not just end her, as after a few years, she remarried to Paul’s brother, George. Life felt easier and better after the marriage, and they were a beautiful family of seven. But tragedy was meant to strike her family once again soon.
Raising five kids was not an easy job, but she handled it well until a train accident took place, taking George’s life. Living in a society that judges, being widowed twice was no easy job; however, she kept putting in all that she could for her children. Working in an elementary school and serving at Hamilton Grove was tough.
Despite hardships, Clarellen stayed resilient and was never ready to give up, knowing how death would take her life one day too, and so she continued working selflessly. Her life was not only about going through the grief of losing loved ones or taking care of her children. But her physical health was also not okay. Multiple heart surgeries and living till the age of 88 is not an easy job. She endured every pain silently and looked for joy in the little things she was surrounded by.
Her faith was her greatest strength, and she even agrees to it through her words. Clarellen inspires her family, reminding them to continue with life no matter how hard it gets. Her granddaughter, Kellie, is especially adoring of her. She tells everyone how her grandma encourages her to do better in life.
Their bond was special. Ever since her birth, Kellie had keenly observed how much her grandmother valued, bringing joy in the lows of life. Her life was about going on vacation, having midnight snacks, and casual trips to the Dollar stores. They got cute little things that felt no less than buying treasure for only three dollars from the store! Clarellen had a secret wish that she finally said out loud in high school. She wished to see her granddaughter’s big day!
As the second youngest grandchild, Kellie felt the weight of that wish. Secretly, she feared that dating might bring the moment too soon, yet she never wanted to disappoint her grandmother. That wish came true. The day before Kellie’s college graduation, she became engaged. Clarellen cried tears of joy over the phone. Though distance kept her from the dress-shopping moment she visited during the engagement, Kellie treasured every second.
The glow and happiness on Clarallens’s face on the wedding day were clearly visible. She had always wished to watch her little Kellie, all grown up, walk down the aisle to the love of her life. Three generations at a wedding was no less than a moment of pride. The pictures of the bride, her mother, and her grandmothers were the highlight of the big day as they were memories captured beautifully, those to be kept close forever.
Two years later, Clarellen’s health declined due to congestive heart failure. The doctors strictly instructed her to avoid climbing stairs; however, she insisted that the day she had to visit the church, she wanted to iron the blouses herself. Not long after that day, she passed away peacefully. The day was the most heartbreaking of her life, as it was no less than losing her biggest inspiration, which she looked forward to. However, what brought peace was that she got a chance to fulfill her grandma’s biggest wish.
Not just this, Kellie has enough memories to cherish forever from voice mails Clarellen sent to her to the necklace she gifted her. Kellie states that even after Grandma’s death, nothing has changed; she still feels her presence in her life and sees her the same way.
