My grandmother turns 91 today. She is, by far, the coolest person that I know. You might remember her from my post last year about being remarkable. This picture from a few weeks ago shows her with her son (my dad), my son and me.
She was born in 1919 and has never taken anything for granted. Her father was crushed and killed by a falling log the year the Great Depression started, leaving the family without the benefit of his support. She was an adult during World War II and worked in the school cafeteria while concerned for her brother-in-law, who was on a ship in the Pacific, and her brother, who later liberated prisoners from the camps in Germany. She was widowed in her mid-forties before there was even a Summer of Love. She taught hundreds of people how to sew and she sewed summer skirts for me after my mom died. She has outlived nearly every friend she has ever had but I’ve never seen her get really blue.
I just wanted to pause today and honor her 91 years of being a anchor for everyone who’s ever known her.
She helped me and both of my sisters get great educations and always told us that she loved each one of us “the most” and that she believed we could do anything we put our minds to.
Knowing that changed my life. And still does – every day.
So here’s what I want you to know:
I believe you can do anything you put your mind to.
You might not have had an loving parent. You might not have had a remarkable grandmother. Maybe nobody ever told you that they believed in you.
Why? Maybe they were in pain, maybe they were terrified, maybe they were just wounded… kinda like the rest of us. It doesn’t matter.
I wish they had told you. I really do.
But now… it doesn’t matter. You get to set your course. You get to be remarkable.
Take a deep breath and take this in: I believe you can do anything you put your mind to.
Now, let’s do it.
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By Laurie Foley
I'm Laurie Foley and I help solo professionals like you discover your natural brand so that you can get clear, get noticed and get clients. Please request your free copy of The Inner Brandifesto, my popular guidebook full of brand-building exercises.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Laurie,
I love this message…that of being able to do whatever we truly set our mind and heart to!
And your grandmother…what a remarkable woman she is! May her time here on earth continue to be a blessing to all those whose paths she crosses…
.-= Lance´s last blog ..You’re Beautiful!…Yes- YOU! =-.
Right-on!
And Happy Birthday to your Grandma!
.-= David Cohen´s last blog ..Harry told me- Work is Personal =-.
I want a LOVE button on your blog today!! Happy birthday to your Grandma and I couldn’t agree more — you, me, and everyone can do anything we set our minds to… let’s get it DONE!
xoxo.n
.-= Nona´s last blog ..Skillful action for business yoginis =-.
Happy Birthday Laurie’s Grandma! And if you are partly responsible for Laurie sharing her gifts so freely with all of us then I am extra grateful you were born this day 91 years ago!
Laurie,
Happy Birthday to your gorgeous Grandma! Her anchoring, her remarkable presence – I see it in you and it is a great blessing to have inspirational leaders like you igniting and supporting others on their unique courses. In appreciation of your genius!
Hxox
Thanks so much for the wonderful comments. She did INDEED have a wonderful birthday, complete with cupcakes! I’ll print and send her this with your warm wishes, too. Thank you!
.-= Laurie Foley´s last blog ..Here’s What I Want You To Know =-.
How extraordinary Lauri, thank you so much for remembering to remember. My Scottish grandmother was born on our 4th of July. She died over 30 years ago at almost 100. She was THE dearest person in my life. Connecting with the love you have for your grandmother reminds me of how very blessed we all are to have such fine, fine, fine people in our lives. A belated happy HAPPY birthday to “Grammyrt”!!