Ylija was in our second grade class. We remember her as a loving and bright member of the class. When we started teaching the 4th and 5th grade class on Wednesday nights we again had her in class. She was just as delightful. She spent much time with her grandmother who lived at the apartments and so was there on Wednesdays to be picked up with the rest of the kids from Solms. She was outgoing and had many friends at church. As she began her fifth grade in 2012 she was very good friends with several girls. In class, we noticed something was different in the way she interacted with both students and her teachers. In September, she went to the county fair with her cousins and had a spell which resulted in her having to go to the hospital. It was found that she had a tumor on her brain that was inoperable. Lucretia and I went to the hospital to pray for her. She welcomed us warmly and we saw that our visit was important to both her and her Mom.
As I remember she began both radiation and chemo which rapidly lessened some of the symptoms. Her support at school was terrific. Because her prognosis was so grim, her friends and family began making every effort to fill her short life with meaningful experiences. One of the school staff that was close to Ylija invited her to join them at their home often and even took her on a family cruise. The school rented a hall in town and since she wasn't expected to be around for her quinceañera they throw a huge party for her, her family, friends and classmates. Since she was 12 they called it a doceañera and arranged a limo and all the party festivities. They had an Open Bar which served candy. The traditional dress and crown were supplied and everyone rejoiced in being there to support Ylija on this special day. Lucretia and I were among the ones honored to be included in this special evening. We even joined in the fun dancing that brought everyone together in celebrating her life with her.
One of Ylija's wishes came true when she was able to go to a concert of one of her favorite singers. I imagine she was surprised when she was invited on to the stage to be serenaded.
Elida Reyna singing to Ylija https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDBj8npjNFQ
We had read the book, Heaven Is For Real, and included the topic in our Wednesday night class. Although it might seem too serious a topic for 4th and 5th graders, we knew that all our kids were conscious of what was happening in Ylija's life. When the author of the book scheduled to speak in a nearby town we took a van load of kids including Ylija and a few adults to hear him tell of what he and his family had experienced. All of us reflected together on life and life after this one.
Once when Ylija was in the hospital we were asked to bring our pastor to pray over her. We called two elders who met us at the hospital. On the way they had stopped and bought a small glass container and oil. They prayed with the family and Ylija and annointed her head with oil as instructed in the Bible. It was a special time for us all.
Ylija chose the words below to express her outlook that she adopted in living her life:
Father God, just for today help me walk your narrow way. Help me stand when I might fall, give me your strength to hear to your call. May my steps be worship. May my thoughts be praise. May my words bring honor to your name.
Ylija died on February 26, 2013. Since she considered our church to be her church, we were honored to host the memorial ceremony. Her community had become ours. She was mourned by family and friends and school staff and her church.
