Who has inspired your life in the most profound ways? For me, it is my Grandmothers

My Nana, Melma Jo was a tough Oakie who grew up dirt floor poor, dropping out of school as a teenager to pick cotton in the fields to help support her family. She married my Papa at 14, and was a mother before she was 16. She raised 4 kids, and I am the eldest of her eldest. She lived a hard life across the board, but the legacy she left behind was one of love, care, and play. She was one of the people I felt the safest with as a child. As she aged, a cherished my visits with her, and as she grew more dependent, I sought out every opportunity I could find to advocate for her and participate in her care, even down to spending the very last night of her life at bedside with her, and beckoning other family members around her as well. 

I owe all of my sass, spunk, and fight back spirit to Melma Jo.

Grandma Charlie, who would later become GG, was a brilliant, independent woman. Ahead of her time, she earned her Masters degree in a time where most women were happy just to graduate high school, become mothers and have children. While she also did those other things as well, she overcame barriers, filed for multiple divorces, and maintained a fiercely independent and autonomous existence and life on her own terms. As she aged, I was again equally called to participate in as many ways as I could to support and guide her, as well as supporting and guiding my own Mother as her primary caregiver. She passed away before I could pack my family in the car and make the 620 mile journey....but my heart was with her.

I owe my intellect, curiosity, and ambitious nature to GG.