What Matters Most

Sometimes we are jarred out of the hectic rush of life, to reflect on what is most important. After Christmas, I found myself doing a lot of reflecting. We spent most of our time with my grandma in the hospital where we looked through old picture albums, shared favorite memories, laughed at treasured stories, listened to the Tennessee Waltz and My Sweet Little Alice Blue Gown, and just stayed with my grandma. It was really hard for me to say goodbye to my grandma, because I knew I would miss her a lot. However, I knew she had lived a good life and would be reunited with her loved ones who have passed on before.
As I reflected on my grandma's life, I realized what I loved most about my grandma didn't deal with prestige, awards, or degrees. In fact, what I loved most about my grandma had nothing to do with stuff. It was her staying up late and gabbing with me, teaching me how to make molasses candy, saving me from our dog, not yelling at me for breaking her door, and listening to my stories. It was the sound of her laugh, the peace from her prayers, and the love she freely gave.
Reflecting on my grandma's life makes me want to be more like her. She was someone who was always there at important moments. Someone who spent more time listening and less time talking. Someone who spent more time with those she loved and less in the attainment of worldly things. My grandma taught me many lessons in her life, the most important were seen in her example. In my rush of life, I plan to slow down a little and be more like her.