At the beginning of the year, I lost my grandmother unexpectedly. She went in for a simple procedure, and the doctor found that she had four blockages in her heart. Before her surgery, I called to check in on her. She told me not to worry about her, to continue to study hard for classes, and to know that she was going to be okay. I can imagine she was plenty scared, but just like she always did, she was taking care of others and making sure I felt better instead of worrying about herself.

After surgery, she never woke up, but before she passed, my entire family was able to see her and say our goodbyes. I travelled back home from Starkville, hugged her close, and kissed her cheek knowing this was the last time I would be able to do this. If I could have never let go, I would have, but that is not how this life works.

I spent so much time at my grandma's house when I was growing up. My parents had me at a very young age, so while they were at work, she would look after me. I watched movies at her house that I probably shouldn't have been allowed to and ate way too many sweets, but if I asked her for something, she could not tell me no.

My grandma was my go-to person my entire life. She lived only five minutes down the road from me, and she was there in a split second if I needed her. From calling her while at school and asking her to run to my house and grab my cheer bag I forgot or asking her to come pick me up because I "felt bad," to coming to watch me cheer to watch me walk the field for homecoming, she never hesitated to be there for me.

I will never forget the time I was having a terrible day and asked her to come pick me up. As soon as she got there, she knew (being the nurse she was) that nothing was physically wrong with me. Instead of harping on me, she said let's go grab ice cream and then go shopping.

My grandma was hands down the most selfless person I have ever known. I never heard her complain once about a single thing. Her favorite thing in the world to do was drink her coffee and read a book on her barstool in her kitchen. I would give anything to walk into her house and sit there with her and listen to all her stories about the old days.

I am sure much like mine you have a grandparent who would give you the world if they could and was your absolute favorite person on the planet. If that is so, I just ask that you stop and appreciate every single second you have with them because you truly never know when it is going to be their last.

Call them to see how their day is going.

Go over to their house and ask if they could teach you how to cook your favorite dish that they make.

Ask them questions about their childhood and see how different it probably was from yours.

Learn as much as you can from them because they have lived a lot of life and have a lot of wisdom.

More than anything, soak up every moment you get to spend with them and enjoy their company.

You will want to do all of these things when they are gone, so please do it every chance you get.

I hope to one day be half the woman my grandmother was.

In loving memory of Orlean Butler.