I had hopes of writing a blog post today about how I’m working to find balance this year in business & life. But this morning I got some sad news, and that put me in a reflective writing mood. It’s on my heart to write about someone who greatly influenced my life, views and character—whether she realized it or not. My hope is to honor her.

This beautiful, smart, incredible woman passed away this morning, at the age of 95. Let me tell you a little bit about my Grandma Harriet.

She was never short of stories. As a young child, I’m positive I didn’t fully appreciate her love of storytelling. Whether it be from her childhood days, or from the years she served in WWII as a nurse, or her college years—when she attended the same years as my Mom at BSU, both getting education degrees—she loved to recall & tell a good story. As I got older, I grew to appreciate and cherish her stories.

She wasn’t your typical grandma. You certainly couldn’t put a classic stereotype on her—while she loved working in her sewing room on projects, loved gardening, and baking cookies with her grandkids, but her hobbies (especially upon retirement) were vast.

She loved to travel with my Grandpa. They went all over Europe, and anywhere that interested them. Including to Norway, several times, to visit her childhood Pen Pal.

She was also an avid golfer in her retirement, and she loved spending doing time with her golfing ladies group.

She also did a lot of volunteering in her community—she was quite the social butterfly and loved every bit of it.

She was ever bit of practical—we say it was because she went through the Depression but I think it was just who she was! She would save anything that could be recycled and used again. No need to waste something. Her Christmas gifts were ever-so-practical and we coined the term “Harriet gifts” thanks to her clever gift-giving.

She was the first outspoken woman I ever knew, thankfully from an early age. She was opinionated, and she impressed upon me at a very early she that girls can do anything they want to. She also spoke to us about equality and diversity. I remember having a conversation around the age of 8 or 9 with her, at her kitchen table in Oaklandon. Something had been on the news regarding segregation in the 60s. She explained to me not only what had happened, but how others spoke out against inequality and injustice. As an 8 year old, and I remember this! She made such an impact on me. In so many ways...

I loved her sass and spunkiness. I love that she was witty and sarcastic. And I love that even though she had a tough, strong woman exterior, her heart was precious, compassionate and so big for others. I loved how when you’d hug her goodbye, she’d almost always tear up but didn’t want you to see.

I will miss her, her stories, her wit and her laugh. Because she’s had dementia these past several years, a part of her has seemingly been missing. And as much as it hurts to see her leave this Earth, I know she’s rejoicing above, hand in hand with her sweetheart again.

I sure hope they have golf courses in heaven❤️ Rest In Peace, Grandma❤️

For my Grandma❤️