Deep Gratitude for Our Role Models

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”
~ Albert Schweitzer

Today would have been my beloved grandmother’s 102nd birthday. She made her transition into the spiritual realm a few months before her 100th birthday.

deep gratitude
Three generations – Mamma, my cousin Cindy, and her daughter, Hunter. I treasure this picture.

She was one of the most influential people in my life. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of her. She taught me about forgiveness and unconditional love. She taught me it is not my place to judge another human being. She modeled strength and beauty to me. I could go on and on. I never heard her say a negative word about anyone. She lived as her Lord Jesus taught us, “to love your neighbor as yourself”. I know she was not perfect, but she did her best to be Love in action. She raised 6 children by herself, working full time, yet loving each of her children deeply. She was also a disciplinarian and managed to show me unconditional love, while at the same time not letting me get away with being disrespectful or misbehaving in any way. She had eyes in the back of her head.

I have deep gratitude for this beautiful woman who had such a positive impact on me being the woman that I am today. I would love to be able to talk to her one more time. I recently wrote a letter to her that I read out loud to her thanking her for the many contributions that she gave to me.

Happy Birthday Mamma!

I invite you to spend a few minutes today thinking about someone who had a positive impact in your life. Who is that special person and what did they teach you that you are grateful for today?