Although my maternal grandmother passed away when I was only seven, the time I spent with her is time I will treasure forever. I can still vividly recall packing my little red “Going to Grandma’s” suitcase to spend weeks in the summer at my grandparents, going to bingo with my grandma and my step-great grandmother, walking to the neighborhood park and spinning wildly on the merry-go-round, parroting her as she called for “Dad” (my grandpa) to take his insulin, and beaming as she and my aunt roared in laughter after I proclaimed them “Enormous” and “Humungous” words I absorbed from an episode of Sesame Street.
Even though she’s been gone a long time, and I’ve now lived more of my life without her than I did with her, she left a lot behind. I see her now in my own habits and mannerisms. I think of her each time I twist the wedding band that once rested on her finger. And I feel her with each beat of my own heart.
For her birthday, I’m reflecting on all the ways she shaped me as a kid, and how she still inspires me in the way I live now.
Even the simplest, everyday moments deserve to be beautiful.
Quality over quantity in everything — clothing, jewelry, housewares, etc.
Care for the things you own and you’ll have them all of your lifetime. Then they become heirlooms and exist a lifetime beyond you.
Store-bought is fine, but homemade is better.
Play music in the kitchen — classical, jazz, crooners, swing.
Buy a box of crayons, hard-boil some eggs, and decorate your breakfast.
Keep popsicles & fudgsicles in your freezer.
Over-indulge in fruit — Apples taste sweeter when salted. So does watermelon. Peaches taste better when preserved.
Grow your own food.
Support your local greenhouse, even when their prices annoy you.
Perfect a few recipes and make them your own.
A swipe of coral pink lipstick will instantly make you feel “pulled together”.
So will an at-home-manicure, short nails, always in timeless shades.
Take care of your skin.
Have a signature scent.
Fall asleep reading.
It’s not aggressive driving, it’s assertive.
Swearing means you speak fluent French.
It’s okay to have a love/hate relationship with your cat — especially when it takes your seat.
Spend time with the people who are important to you.
Invest in yourself — education, health, appearance, hobbies, skills. You are always worth it.
Have your own job and means of income —never be reliant on someone else to pay your bills.
Keep a feisty spirit and a mind of your own.
A little kindness can go a long, long way.
Recognize where your boundaries are.
Be a fighter, stand up for what you believe in.
Love your crow’s feet and your laugh lines. Keep laughing loudly, and laugh, often.