Not everyone is as lucky as I am, because not everyone has been blessed with a grandma like mine.

There are certain family members that we are closer with than others-- whether that family member be a mom, dad, aunt, cousin, or sibling, there is always someone that you have a special connection with. Mine so happens to be my grandma.

If I ever need advice about something, help figuring out a household appliance that I've never used before, or just want to tell someone about my day, she's the first person I call. I know she'll answer and greet me with a more sincere "hello" than most people ever get. She's always excited to talk to me and always makes time to communicate with me, and I consider myself blessed for that. Not everyone has someone they can share excitement, sadness, or anxiety with and them give you the answers that you're looking for.

I look to her as a mentor and a role model; I don't know anyone else who embodies the kind of woman I aspire to be more than her. She is caring, understanding, and forgiving-- three traits I struggle with. I'm convinced that heart is made of pure gold and that she can do no wrong. Her attitude toward life is so optimistic that sometimes it makes me hard to be negative around her. If I ever need a pick-me-up, I know she'll be there to remind me that I am smart, important, and have so much to offer the world.

She's seen me at my lowest points and helped mold me into who I am today. Even on days when I get aggravated with her or say things that are out of line, she loves me and forgives me every time. She is a rock for me to fall back on and my shoulder to cry on at any time, any day. On days when life has just gotten the best of me and I feel like I can't do anything right, she's there to remind me that I am worthy. I feel like some of my greatest accomplishments are those that merit her telling me that she's proud of me.

I take pride in telling people that she's my grandmother, mainly because I like to hear everyone boast and tell me stories about her. Her success motivates me to be the best version of myself that I can be.

Even when I don't deserve it, she has provided me with everything I could need and even things that I want, even if said thing is a new pair of distressed jeans-- which she still doesn't understand why they're so popular.

Thanks to her, I know the value of a dollar and the importance of first impressions. I'm still trying to learn to exercise my knowledge of the value of a dollar, but I'm working on it. Because of her, I know class and have the gift of gab. She encourages me to do my best and even when I don't agree with what she says or does for me, I know that she has my best interest at heart. And yes, I am talking about the cotillion classes I attended in the seventh grade.

No matter what, she'll have my back, and I'll have hers. After everything she's done for me, the very least I could do is dedicate an article to her. I couldn't be more thankful to have someone as wonderful as her in my life, and I love her more than anyone on earth!