Dear mentor, role model, idol, hero, or better known as my grandma...

As I was growing up, I always was asked: "Who's your role model?" "What makes them your role model?" I never had a response or happened to know who was my role model was or what that meant. What does having a role model mean? Someone that's always there for you and pushes you to be the best you can be?

That one person who is an example that you can look up to? My role model is all of that and a little more... OK maybe a lot more.

Here I am writing this letter to you.

This letter can not express the amount of respect I have for you and everything you have done for me to get me where I am standing today. You have been there with me from the beginning and continue to push me every day even if we don't talk every day. You might live far away and I might only get to see you so often, but I can feel your love and encouragement all the time. Not only do you travel any chance you get, but you make me have something to look forward to when I grow up.

How cool is it that I have a grandma that has visited 127 countries out of 196...? (That's no joke.) Also, a grandma who wrote her own book?

I also want to thank you.

I want to thank you for all the money and time you have put into my education to get me where I am. I wouldn't have dreaded those long plane and car rides to see you for just anyone.

Thanks for always supporting me and pushing me to be my own person and to put myself out there. I think it's safe to say that sometimes I am more independent than people would expect from me.

Thanks for giving and teaching me such great qualities to succeed in this crazy world or better yet known as college.

I'm thankful for those countless college visits and long talks were given to me throughout me and my teenage years.

Thanks for teaching me to be a leader and making me do things alone because no one is always going to be there to tell you what to do.

Thanks for teaching me how to treat others and how to be the "bigger person."

You were here for me countless times when I felt others weren't and you always were there to listen to my problems, no matter how ridiculous they sounded. We share so many memories and laughs, whether that be while driving in the car, going to a baseball game, or playing dominos at my kitchen table. You constantly put me first whenever it is needed and I am extremely grateful for what you've done.

Like I said before, I wouldn't be where I am today without your guidance and patience. LOTS OF YOUR PATIENCE. I love getting to hear about your crazy adventures and how your friends think we look and act exactly alike. It's so great having a role model to look up to when things get rough and hard to handle.

I just want to let you know there isn't a day you go underappreciated for getting me where I am today. I can't wait to share this knowledge with other people that I can teach to do the things you taught me to do. I'm so grateful for you and this letter doesn't give justification to the meaning of how much you helped and influenced me to get me where I am right now.

Sincerely, your continuingly-to-improve granddaughter that is always grateful. Love you lots, G.T. (Grandma Tamara)