Taylor

One hot August afternoon, your brother played in the sandbox while I sat on the side watching him.  As your dad walked by, I told him to come home early because we would be heading to Conway that night.  I think he just looked at me and laughed at my wishful thinking, but I was right.  That night we dropped your brother off at your grandma’s and headed to Conway to meet our little girl.  I wasn’t quite sold on the name your dad had picked for you but the week before the paper had come out congratulating your dad for an award and it included your name, so I guessed there was no turning back there.

You started your life as a service to others.  When you were just a small girl you always thought of someone else.  There were times I couldn’t even bend over to put my shoes on my feet because my belly was so big from being pregnant.  At the tender age of 16 months you were going to my closet to get my shoes and put them on me.  When GA GA would take you to the store and buy you a treat you always wanted to “bring Bubbie some too.”   You have always thought of other people.  

Carrying a smile with you everywhere you went has always been what caught people’s eye.  There was never a time someone wouldn’t look at you and say something about your beautiful curly hair and the big smile you had.

Riding in a hot vehicle was never your strong part.  When we would leave school on a hot afternoon, you would begin complaining that you were hot.  I couldn’t get the van cooled down quick enough.   As soon as it would get comfortable, you would fall fast asleep.  Once we were commenting about your snoring while we were driving home.  You never thought you snored.  Out of the blue you said, “I know I do.”  After that you never argued again about your snoring.

For some reason, you have been the one I would forget whenever we went places.  There was the time I went to Wal-Mart after stopping by Sonic.  One of the stock boys was a good friend and he asked me where you were and I said sleeping in the van.  He went outside to help a customer and came back to tell me you were nowhere in the van.  I began looking frantically for you.  The intercom announced that I had a phone call at the service desk.  My immediate reaction was it didn’t take the kidnappers long to contact me, but thank heavens it was a good friend who had picked you up at Sonic.  You had gone to the rest room and I had left you behind.  I felt so stupid but so relieved.  I don’t know what I would have done if you had been taken from me.    This was only one time I forgot you though.  I know you remember the countless other times, but there is no need to go into any more details. 

Throughout your entire school life you have always strived to succeed.  I remember your sixth grade graduation when every award that was given out had your name on it.  Then there were those countless nights in high school.  We would arrive home so late from a night of ball playing and cheerleading.  You would always stay up late just to complete the assignments you had…. But just completing them wasn’t enough.  It was important that they be done right.  I especially remember a night spent in Heber Springs playing basketball only to return home and you stayed awake until 3:30 writing an essay for Mrs. Wheeler. This was not an uncommon habit of yours.   You have always been determined to do your very best.  That determination is what made you the valedictorian of your Senior Class. The absolute waiting until the last minute to see what you made on that one final test was one of my most anxious moments.  It never made sense to me why your graduating class could only have one valedictorian while the surrounding schools had up to 6.  That very last week of high school was filled with such anxiety, but you passed with flying colors.  I was so proud to listen to your speech that you made at graduation.

Not only did you strive your best in your education, but you worked hard in your athletics, dance, and cheerleading.  I can’t even begin to mention all the things we as a family have been able to do because of you.  There is the dancing at Silver Dollar City, Walt Disney World, the Bahamas Cruise Ship, and in New York City.  Dancing in the state fair talent competition was always a favorite experience.   There were many AAU trip to play basketball that allowed us to see the beautiful sights of the Rocky Mountains and the Land of 10,000 Lakes.  On your high school basketball team, you might not have been the star of the team but you were OUR star.  I know you didn’t know that when awarding the MVP for the state finals your brother looked at me and said, “Taylor’s my MVP.”  You had played your hardest and it was your efforts that made many things happen that would contribute to your team winning a state championship.  As a cheerleader, you were the one to look to for leadership.  I couldn’t have managed the cheerleaders without you to teach and help create their dances.  I was so proud when we won 5^th place overall in the state competition but even more proud because it was your routine that you created that the girls performed. 

You didn’t stop in high school.  I am so very proud of the accomplishments you have achieved in college.  The Ideal leadership team,  SOS,   Who’s Who among UCA college students, Delta Zeta Pledge Mom,    My favorite college event is the step show.  It is always a delight to see all the costumes and all the dance steps and no matter what the other groups do, I always feel that Delta Zeta is the best. 

I know your dad is so very proud of you as well.  On weekends that you girls come home, I don’t know that he really needs you but he likes having you help him on the farm.  He would be so very proud if all of you would come back and wake up every day and feed and doctor with him.   There were times when you had barely learned to walk that you would try to feed the baby calf its bottle. 

All of these things are memories forever etched in my mind.  Now you are facing a whole new life.  I know you will be a success in your future.  It is not in your nature to not be anything else. 

I read somewhere that the best gift you can give a child is a lifetime of adventures.  The truth is you have given me a lifetime of adventures.   I have loved every minute of your exciting life. I love you more than you could ever know and I appreciate the young woman you have become.  You are one of three lights in my world and I am thankful to God that he chose me to have you as one of my lights.   

I love you Taylor Elizabeth Caston,

Mom