“What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life. And, most importantly, cookies.” Rudy Giuliani. 

Grandmas are very special ladies. I’ve heard about every single name for a grandma – nana, nanny, grammy, gamma, and grams but my “2mom” is one of a kind, not only in her name but in everything else.

My 2mom inspires me daily because, as her name indicates, she has been like a second mom to me all throughout my life. I am the youngest of five grandchildren so, of course, I was babied and treated like the favorite. My three cousins and brother would get so jealous of me because, in elementary school, I got to stay with 2mom the most at her beach front condo on Tybee Island when I was on summer break. We would go to nice dinners, walk on the pier and even go shopping. 

When I was approaching third grade my 2mom decided she needed to move to my hometown of Milledgeville, Ga., so she could see me on a regular basis instead of just school breaks. Back then, I didn’t really appreciate her big move. I was excited that she would be close to me, but I never really considered that she would be leaving her favorite place and her condo behind. Now I appreciate her move more than ever because it lead to us having a wonderful relationship. To this day, we still share a very special bond. 

I have so many memories growing up with my 2mom and in every single one I can’t think of a time when she didn’t put me first. No matter the situation, my 2mom always loved me and made sure I knew it, without a doubt. To this day, she is still living in Milledgeville, just 10 minutes away from my house. Whenever I go back to my home town on a school break or long weekend I always make sure to help her run errands or go out to eat with her. I even take her to the grocery store, which I absolutely hate, but she keeps me on my toes making sure to stop and read every single food label! As I grow older I realize that I owe a lot to my 2mom. She is a role model to me and one day I hope to be half the woman and grandma that she is.