My grandma is a warm, fun, loving soul who reminds me every day what it looks like to be an independent woman. Young at heart, she still works part-time, participates in jazzercise classes every week, takes art classes and supports herself entirely on her own. If you have the divine pleasure of knowing her, you know that she is ALWAYS the life of the party.

I recently asked her to write down a list of things she's learned throughout her years for me to keep while away at college. She took out a felt-tip pen from her purse and wrote down this shortlist on the back of her weekly work schedule.

1. Enjoy life. Find something each day to make it so.

2. Be kind to others no matter who they are: young, old, it's indifferent.

3. Adopt a pet dog or cat. Or both.

4. Do an exercise class.

5. Take long walks

6. Meditate

7. Be thankful for what you have and your family

8. Take a drawing class.

9. Always help out a friend in need.

10. Everyone gets their heart broken; be strong and carry on love.

I am forever grateful for having such a strong and loving role model in my life. Love you, Grams!