Meet my grandmother, Hattie.

She taught me how to rollerblade, ride a bike, make homemade bread, scramble eggs, clam, and crochet. She randomly deposits money into my bank account, lets me wear her old clothes, and finds pleasure in sitting on her back porch watching hummingbirds eat from the bird feeder in the backyard. My grandmother still gets on her knees to pray every night, and she prays about other people.

My grandmother is the finest example of character I've found in my life.

Not because she puts money in my bank account... but because she thinks of me enough to do so. Not because she can make really great bread... but because she takes time to teach me important lessons, lessons far beyond rising yeast. Throughout my life, grandma has taught me many of these life lessons. Some intentionally... many unintentionally.

My grandmother is who she is, all the time, in front of her church congregation or alone on her back porch. She speaks harshly of no one, and cares for everyone. She is not a woman of word, but of action. Her ACTIONS tell me she is a person of character.

I reflect upon my own life. I begin by asking myself the question, "Do my actions speak to my character?" However, that isn't exactly what I need to know. My actions DO speak to my character. The true question is, "Do my actions tell others that I am a person of character, and am I ok if that answer is no?"

I am far from perfect. We all are. I say or do things sometimes that I wish I hadn't. I think about things that could be hurtful if said aloud, and I complain about not having enough when I've been more than blessed. I will be the first to admit I have flaws. However, I refuse to accept it.

I value character. I value doing what is right, regardless if it may be uncomfortable for me. I don't believe in under the table deals, or taking shortcuts to cheat others. I may not always make the right decisions, but my heart always has good intentions.

I appreciate my grandmother more and more as the days go by. I know that one day, I will not have her to physically hug or talk to, but she will live on forever through the lessons she taught me and the deeds she's committed for others. One day, I will be able to tell my daughter, Hattie, that she was named after the greatest person I ever knew. I can teach her the Lord's prayer, take her on picnics, make her scarves, and eat cookies and cream ice cream cones with her. I'll spend time with her, help her grow not just physically, but as a person... just like grandma did me.

I'm so thankful I can spend this weekend with my grandma. I love sitting on the kitchen bar stools with Cam listening to her talk about my grandfather, who passed away before I went to high school. I love how embarrassed she gets when I ask to take pictures of her, even though we clearly see how radiant she is. I love experiencing her warmth, and I'm thankful I'll experience that forever.

Tomorrow is a full day... Grandma is meeting all of her friends at Hardee's in the morning (like she does every morning), and she has promised to bring Cam and I biscuits and gravy. Afterwards, we'll enjoy a sunny day on the warm sands of Topsail, followed by an evening teaching Cam how to clam. Until then, I think I'll enjoy the hot tub and "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team".

What a blessed life I lead.