Time goes by too fast. It feels like just yesterday that I was sitting in front of my grandmother’s television watching the "Veggie Tales," and now I am sitting in my dorm room 500 miles away from my home and my family. Family has always been my number-one priority, the one thing that I always put ahead of anything and everything else. It’s hard to be so far away from everyone back at home. Lucky for me, I was raised by some pretty amazing people, and it is through them that I gained the strength I need to get through this journey. It is sad for me to think about all of the loved ones that I have lost already in my life, the ones who had a hand in making me who I am today. Through God, I thank these loved ones every day and I know they are still watching over me. As for my family back at home, I have a special person who I need to thank, and that is my Nana.

My Nana is an amazing person even beyond her grandmotherly duties. If there is ever a person (or even an animal) that needs help, she will be the first one to offer up what she can. Growing up with such an incredible role model has been something of such value in my life that I cannot even put into words how much it has meant to me. I was extremely fortunate to have kind and compassionate people taking care of me. My grandmother taught me how valuable it can be to help others and to show that you care, and for that I am forever grateful.

I want to thank my grandmother for always giving me a space to relax and to get away from my troubles. I have always loved being able to simply get up and go to her house; I never have to worry about whether or not her door is open because it always is. It is really important for one to know that they have multiple places they can go where they feel completely relaxed and content. Looking back now, this is one of the things that I appreciate the most.

Above all, though, I need my grandmother to know just how much her love and guidance mean to me. She is one of the few people on this planet who I can turn to for advice about anything. I need to thank her for giving me the comfort of knowing that I always have someone in my corner and that I am not alone. I don’t know what kind of person I would be today if not for her presence in my life, and I need her to know that she means the absolute world to me. I love you Nana, and thank you, for everything.