Her Royal Highness

This week was quite eventful for me. From Monday through Sunday I managed to experience things that will stick out in my head for years to come. I survived my first Relay For Life with my family, witnessed the amazing wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, and listened to President Obama deliver a speech to the world announcing the death of Osama Bin Laden. But none of those events quite measured up to celebrating my grandmother's 90th birthday. In a ceremony fit for a Queen, my family and I gathered to pay homage to a woman who has more strength than all of us combined. As each of us stood up and honored her in our own special way, there was not a dry eye in the house.

I was blessed to be able to grow up with both sets of grandparents by my side. So it is safe to say that at times I didn't know the value of what I had. They say you never miss your water til your well runs dry; well when your well is always overflowing, it is easy to overlook the smallest of blessings. It has taken me this long in life to recognize the magnitude of having a grandmother who is devoted to improving the lives of her children and grandchildren. Too often in life we get so wrapped up in our immediate needs that we never stop and enjoy the journey to greatness. In our every day lives we are so quick to focus on the 20 things that are wrong, and overlook the one thing that's right. Well when you live to be 90 years old, its hard to overlook that one thing that's right.

Treat your life as if it truly is a gift. Take stock in the simple things that make imprints on the mind. I may not remember all the things she said, but I remember the message my grandmother gave me. God doesn't OWE us life, he gives us life. Its a gift that we sometimes forget we have. So to the 90 year old Queen in my life-thank you for reminding me of my gift, and thank you for sharing yours with me.