The Start of the Season to GIVE

So usually for Lent, we give something up, right? Well this year I have decided to do at least three good deeds a day. I want to work on starting up a program with my daughters school with Target. I want to see about starting up a program with the children's hospital to do some art therapy with them, or even to just come visit with them and play music or play with them. I want to do good things this Lent. 

I know I talk about her a lot, but my Grandmother, my Nonnie, would have given you the last dollar in her bank account if she knew you were hungry. She knew the true meaning of how to pay it forward and how to give and not be concerned with material things for yourself. She was the first to make others happy, and second to be concerned for herself. She was such a selfless person. I looked up to her as a child. When I was home recently, I saw letters from her and videos of her and pictures of me and her, and it brought me to tears. She was an incredible woman. She had such patience with me. She loved me with a love that words could not describe. And she loved that way with everyone. She was my hero. So this Lent, I want to make sure that I am like her. I pray to her and to God every day to give me guidance. In one of the cards she wrote, "To my favorite Tuesday Gal, thanks for making this past few months so much easier on me.". It was the first time I had even seen a hint of sadness in her. My Pappy passed away the day after Easter and I would spend each Monday and Tuesday with her. So I was her Tuesday Gal. For her to thank me....for the woman who was constantly giving her time and effort into other people...to thank me for something as silly as spending time with her....it broke my heart to read. She truly was thankful. And I truly am thankful now that I had that time with her. She had enough love for me that I didn't need any other grandparents. She was my only grandparent, and I didn't even notice until I was older. She was my hero because of it. 

So I challenge you for Lent, as much as you want to give something up, try giving. Give and pay it forward to someone who needs it. She did every day of her life, and I wouldn't be the person that I am today if it weren't for her. 

I really do know I talk about her a lot, but this is for her to read up in the clouds...I love you Nonnie, and miss you more and more each day. I love the person you formed me into, and I am sorry I took that for granted. I took our time together for granted because I was a selfish teenager. I want Alayna to know the importance of that time with family. I didn't know it at the time, and I live every day with regret because of it. My goal this Lent, Nonnie, is to be more like you. I looked up to you then and even more now. I pray to you daily. I ask you to look over my small little family and make sure we can make it day to day. I love you Nonnie and I miss you more than words. Keep looking out for me.