Here are a few things I learned from my grandma. She was one of the smartest, funniest, strongest women I’ve had the privilege to know and love….

• Keep God first
• Work hard
• Save money
• Tell the truth, even if your voice shakes
• Humor is always welcome and usually necessary
• Be straight with your man, he’ll appreciate and respect you for it
• Give to others
• Pray for others, both international and domestic
• Be a witness
• You are a living example
• Love hard
• Time is precious
• A timely joke can cut the tension in a room like nothing else
• Chicken taco and spaghetti tastes better (to me) with veggie-meat instead of real meat
• Fried okra has never tasted better (to me) than straight from Grandma’s skillet
• Heaven will be the greatest family reunion any of us can ever imagine!

As a child and adult, my grandma took me to lunch and shopping for my birthday. This tradition continued until she couldn’t physically do it anymore. I looked forward to it every year. That special time she carved out just for me was the best gift she ever gave me. With my birthday quickly approaching, I am reminded of how much she loved me. I am forever grateful and blessed to be her granddaughter.