Welcome back, readers! Today is day four of Blogmas, and I'm truly excited for this one. Enjoy!



Although my mom has been one of the biggest inspirations in my life, and I thank God everyday that he chose her to be my mother, the first person I can truly say has inspired and made me into who I am today, is my Mema. Man, oh man, where do I start! From the moment I was brought into this world, along side my twin sister Samantha, my Mema has been there right next to us. Both her and my pop-pop played, and still play, a huge role in my sisters and I's lives. When I was younger, I spent most of my days at my grandparents house due to my mom working really hard and going to school to make a better life for my sisters and I. My mema would pick us up from school almost everyday and take us back to her house for treats, homework, and swimming.

My pop-pop was an extraordinary pastor and the most loving man I know! Unfortunately he passed away many years ago, but I will never forget the influence he impacted my life with. I looked up to the way he loved my mema and I knew one day I wanted a love just like that! A man who would die to himself everyday for me, and love me like Christ loved the church. I wanted to be the kind of woman like my mema. The kind that loved everyone and put everyone else before herself. My mema has the biggest heart out of anyone I know, and she is on fire for God! Her heart is bursting at the seams with love and compassion. She is always looking for ways to help others and reach out a helping hand. She also has a better social life than me and my sisters put together.

My mema has been in my life through every heartache and tragedy, but also every bit of joy and happiness that has been brought into my life. She taught me how to forgive, trust, be honest, show kindness and love, show mercy, turn the other cheek, be a good friend, be patient, and she also taught me how to be a good mother. When I was 17 and found out I was pregnant, I was scared to tell my mom, but I was even more scared to tell my mema. Although disappointed, she opened up her arms and let me in.

Mema, if you are reading this, I want you to know how much I love you and how much you inspire me to be the best I can be. You see nothing but the good in people, you always reach out and lend a hand or an ear or your heart. You constantly tell me how proud you are of me, but the truth is I am the one who is proud. Proud to be your granddaughter! I watched the strength you had after loosing pop-pop when you could have fallen apart. You relied on God and you held your strength. I know he looks down everyday and sees the wonderful woman you continue to become! I love that you still remember my love for horses. I love that you remember all the things I loved as a child. Things like your pantry and your pool. And when you moved to South Carolina, I loved being able to spend every spring, summer, and Christmas break with you and pop-pop. I remember watching you and pop-pop together and telling myself, "that's the kind of love I want", and I went out and got it. Because of you, I decided not to settle for anything less than what I could have. Because of you, I know how to have a kind heart, be patient, and love bigger than ever. Because of you, I learned how to forgive even when I didn't want to. You are beautiful inside and out and I want to be just like you with every passing year. Thank you for teaching me, mentoring me, loving me, and always making me laugh. You are my biggest inspiration because you are the perfect example of a woman of God. How lucky I am to be your grandchild?