Things I've Learned from my Grandmother

Today was my grandmother's birthday. I was blessed to be able to go out to dinner with her this evening, along with my mom and the girls. I am so incredibly thankful to have my grandma in my life. She's one of the most amazing, strong, loyal, faithful, trusting, trustworthy, beautiful people I have ever met. I have learned so much from her in my life. She has taught me the value of good friends. When I was little, my grandparents had game night on Fridays and they would rotate which friends' house we had game night on. It was so awesome to grow up in an environment where laughter and friendship were valued so highly. My grandma is always the perfect hostess and works so hard to make sure her company is always taken care of. She is involved in her church and in the community, but also takes time to enjoy things herself and to be independent. In the past few years, she has taken time to travel to places she has always dreamed of: Alaska, Spain, the Carribean, and she has a future trip to Panama that she is thinking of taking. She lives life to the fullest, always. My grandma was a faithful wife to my grandpa. When he was sick for years on end, she was there to drive him to appointments, cook him meals, care for him, and she made sure that he was surrounded by love. My grandma is by far one of the most selfless people I know and I know she would do absolutely anything for anyone she loves. She is honest and caring and funny and easy to talk to. When I thank God for things in my life, she has always been at the top of my list. I pray to God that I can be even just a little like her in my life. I am incredibly grateful that my girls have been given the opportunity to have her in their lives. They love their Gigi so very much and the smile upon their faces when she enters the room are brighter than the sun. She has blessed me so richly with her unconditional love and care and I hope I have blessed her with the same. She is a beautiful woman, inside and out, and I am so very, very fortunate that in my life, I have had the pleasure of calling her my grandma.

I love you, Grandma! I can never thank you enough for all you have taught me! May you have a very blessed year ahead!