A Woman of Noble Character: Meet Louise Taylor
If you've read my book, Torn Robes: Choices, you may expect that the first character I will discuss is Pastor John, the protagonist of the story. However, Pastor John would not have made his journey to Gilford without the influence of the strong-willed woman of faith, Louise Taylor.
Louise Taylor is the wife of Dwayne, her high school sweetheart, and the mother of two children: Dwayne Jr., known as D.J., who is a second-year college student at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and Sharise, a high school student. Louise is employed as a school nurse at Gilford High School. While she can be tough on those she cares for, they always know where she stands and that she will fight for them with her last breath. Although small in stature, she possesses a large spirit. Those who know her respect her and have a healthy fear of her fierce nature when defending those she loves.
In the first book, Torn Robes: Choices, we are introduced to Louise Taylor. She is attending a meeting with the Superintendent and school board members to discuss potential solutions for the troubled teens in Gilford. Louise is described as the Superintendent's "constant irritant," as demonstrated in the following excerpt where she speaks about the teens at Gilford High School.
Spencer sighed. “Haaaahh! It's obvious Louise was adding a bit of comic relief to the evening. But if there is something a little more realistic, you’d like to add Louise, by all means.” Spencer motioned his right hand gesturing the floor was all hers.
“Oh, I’d like to add something alright.” Louise stood up, all five feet, four inches tall. “These are children we’re talking about. We need to get to the root of the problem, not glaze over it with a Band-Aid or look the other way and hope it gets better. This solution is as bad as their behavior. You’re giving them free rein by telling them they’re in charge. These kids show no respect for themselves or the adults in their lives.” Louise motioned her hand like she was cutting off a head. “Well, it’s not okay with me! There’s nothing but trouble ahead.” She wanted to laugh at some of the shocked faces staring back at her. Didn’t they know her by now?
In my third book, “Torn Robes: The King's Highway,” the following excerpt from Chapter Two highlights Louise's concern for her daughter, Sharise. Since her friend Sarah has returned home to Nebraska, Sharise has been missing her. Naturally, Louise's busybody side emerges as she tries to help Sharise through this difficult time.
Louise sat down next to her daughter on the swing that hung from the rafters above. ”Hm, hm.”
“Mom, really? Here you go again, poking where you shouldn’t. Isn’t there a Bible verse for that?
After a long conversation, Louise helps Sharise figure things out, and Sharise is thankful. However, Louise did not forget what her daughter said to her at the beginning of their discussion.
“Oh, mom! Thank you!” Sharise screeched embracing her mother in an enthusiastic hug.
“And Sharise?”
“Yes?”
“There is a scripture for pokey busy bodies…
We hear that some of you are living in idleness. You are not busy working —you are busy interfering in other people’s lives! 3. 2 Thessalonians 3:11-13
“In case you run across one…“Louise smiled wittingly.”
While she is not perfect—being spicy when necessary and sometimes stubborn to a fault—her heart is always in the right place. Although she may interfere when she shouldn't, her intentions are always good.
Louise reminds me a lot of my grandmother—a resilient, devoted woman who dedicated her life to her family and worked tirelessly to ensure they had everything they needed. She instilled in me the importance of being kind and forgiving while also emphasizing the need to follow through on my commitments.
I remember spending a weekend at my Nan's house when I was about nine years old. We realized that I didn’t have anything suitable to wear to church the following day. So, on Sunday morning, Nan got up early and began sewing a skirt for me. I woke up to find her bent over her sewing machine, one of the older models with a foot pedal. Though the skirt wasn’t anything spectacular, as she used the materials she had on hand, what made it truly special was that every stitch reflected the love and dedication she poured into it. That sweet image has remained etched in my memory as vivid as it was all those years ago.
You could say, I drew inspiration for the character of Louise Taylor from my own home, particularly from the remarkable qualities of my Nan. While Louise possesses her own unique traits and special talents, both women share a strong will and unwavering faith. They are, indeed, women of noble character.
Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting.
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.