role model | Day With KT

OK – this feels wrong to start a post and not begin with my 44 but I’m going to try. On the weekend I will share the entire week of Daily 44s.

Mema's 80th birthday party — Mema’s 80th birthday party

For most of my life I was super blessed with the best role model any girl could ever wish for – my grandma (Mema).

this is how my grandparents posed most of the time — this is how my grandparents “posed” most of the time

My grandmother taught me early on how much fun shopping was. She was an expert shopper! During all of that shopping she showed compassion to many people. No one was ever “beneath” Mema – she treated everyone equally and fairly!!

Mema believed that a woman should always be “put together” and that meant – dressed nicely, hair done and LIPSTICK. I have probably let her down in this area a lot – I love to be in workout wear and often skip makeup all together!!

even when she lost her sight she still looked at Poppa

Mema was very SOCIAL!!! She would talk to anyone and everyone about the most personal things. Many times I remember thinking that the lady at the Bealls counter or the cashier at the Chinese restaurant didn’t need to know quite so much about me but….

Poppa's 94th birthday — Poppa’s 94th birthday

Mema taught me how to be a “worker.” I spent many summers with my grandparents and I worked! I helped in the garden, did chores around the house and worked in the kitchen. Mema cooked like Paula Deen before anyone knew who Paula Deen was. If a little butter was good, a lot of butter was better!!! There was never a bad dish at my grandmothers!!

Even though we worked hard, we also rested. Every day after lunch we all would find a nice spot and nap (them) or read (me) for 30 minutes – I loved that time!

My grandparents together taught me what true love is. I don’t think I ever heard either one of them say a cross word at or about the other. I know they didn’t always agree about things but they knew what was important – LOVE!!!

May 25, 1996 a few special words right before my wedding — May 25, 1996
a few special words right before my wedding

Mema always had time for her family. I think that family was truly the most important thing in her world and we always knew it!!! I talked to Mema at least once a week from the time I went to college until the very end of her life.

Mema loved her great grandkids. I know that even though she understood why we lived in Kansas, she always hated that we were so far away. I hope that my boys had enough time with Mema and Poppa to know how very special they both were!!!

Mema couldn't see much by this time but she was still studying Hunter!! — Mema couldn’t see much by this time but she was still studying Hunter!!

Mema taught me that you didn’t have to be musical to appreciate good music. I think I got my musical ability from her (none!!) but I still love to listen to music. She would have loved hearing the boys play their instruments!!

listening even when she couldn't see — listening even when she couldn’t see

In the last few years of her life, Mema taught me so many lessons!! She taught me that no matter how hard life becomes and no matter what comes your way, you just have to stay strong in your faith.

I feel sure that Mema was making sure Poppa was "eating right" (her way!) — I feel sure that Mema was making sure Poppa was “eating right” (her way!)

I think that Mema is the one who taught me the art of making sure that people do things the “right” way!!! She was good at convincing Poppa to eat certain things or not eat them. I think really it all just goes back to the complete love they had for each other!!

Mema and Poppa loved to travel and went to many places and many different countries over the years. Even with traveling though, Mema taught me that home was always the best place to be. I still feel that way!!

this picture was after Mema had bypass surgery - I went down for a week to help take care of her — this picture was after Mema had bypass surgery – I went down for a week to help take care of her

Losing her sight was hard!! (She had macular degeneration.) I know that it frustrated her to not be able to see her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. Yet, she rarely complained. In fact, I don’t think I ever really heard her complain even during the last 2 years when I know that she was unhappy because she wanted to be home with Poppa instead of in a nursing home.

always joy!!

I remember watching Mema open a gift and be able to figure out what it was even without seeing it!!!

Even in the nursing home, Mema tried to show her family a good time. It wasn’t quite the entertaining that she used to do. That is another thing she taught me – how to be a good host. She was an incredible hostess and nothing made her happier than having a large group of friends and/or family to feed and entertain!!

I was fortunate to have Mema in my life as many years as I did. I was 41 when she died. (February 6, 2011) Thankfully, I was able to go down in late January of 2011 and then I went down again in early February.

I spent the last 2 days and nights of Mema’s life with her and held her hand when she took her very last breath. I applied some of the lessons she had taught me over the years and just let her know how very much I loved her and always would!!!

2001 (Sam & Stacy's wedding) — 2001 (Sam & Stacy’s wedding)

I have missed my grandma every day for just over 3 years. Today would have been her 88th birthday!!! Happy Birthday, Mema – I will always love you!!!

I hope that at the end of my life I can look back and be able to know that I made Mema proud!!!

Who is your biggest role model?
What lessons did you learn from them?

Happy Monday!!

Kim

For my 43 today I did a side plank with a front reach – pretty much just what it sounds like.

I really liked this move – I could feel it in my core, hips and shoulders!!! And, you know that I had to flip and do a set of 43 on the other side!!

I tried to make sure and keep my hips lifted the entire time – I was shaking by the end of each set – success!!!

I also started up Garage boot camp this morning! It has to be in the garage because at 6:00am it is dark outside now. I just have a few ladies who asked me if we could keep going with boot camp even though summer is over so we are going to try it for awhile. Today we did a repeat boot camp – ABC Boot Camp!!!

After boot camp, I did a super quick run before taking Hunter to school. Treadmill at 1.5% incline – 3 miles fast + 1 cool down mile for a total of 4 miles in 30:05. I’m sure Hunter was thrilled to hop in the car with his sweaty mom!!

We all have people in our lives that have helped mold us into the person we are today. It might be your parents,

a teacher,

a coach,

or any other person who has been a major influence in your life.

Some of you might be sitting there thinking – “Yep, I know exactly the person who has helped shape me into who I am.” Others are probably thinking that there are too many different people and you can’t pick just one. And, some of you might not know yet who you would credit with helping you develop into the person you are or want to be.

For me, I know exactly who has made me the person that I am – my grandparents!!!

Growing up, I spent every second I could with my grandparents – when we lived in other states it was harder but I loved and cherished every visit!!!

The summer before I started 9th grade, my parents got a divorce. I lived with my grandparents that summer (and many after!). Poppa taught me the things that my dad wasn’t around to teach me – how to build a book shelf, how to weed-eat, how to kill a rattle snake (I lived in west TX!!), how to drive, how to swim – the list could go on and on.

And, Mema taught me about life!! She never met a stranger – from the check-out clerk at the grocery store, to the security guard at the mall, the small children at church and the oldest neighbor on the block – she would talk to anyone about pretty much anything.

Mema always wanted to look at the person/people in the picture not the camera!!! In all of our wedding pictures she is looking at me because she said everyone should look at the bride – at the time I didn’t totally understand – now I do and I think it is one of the best wedding gifts I received!

Poppa showed me every day the meaning of a true work ethic. He was still working at 80+ because he loved being able to get out there and do things. He taught me that any job – no matter how big or small – should be done to the very best of my abilities. I try to live up to that standard today in all of my endeavors.

Because of issues/factors that I haven’t ever mentioned on my blog, my mom is not the person that I really ever tried to please. However, any time that I felt like I let my grandparents down, I was devastated. In fact, several years during my early 20s are the only period in my life that I didn’t talk at least once a week with Mema – and that was because I knew she didn’t approve of all of my choices and I hated knowing that I was disappointing her!!!

The biggest thing I learned from my grandparents was how to really love someone. They showed me true love every day of their lives! They loved each other completely with no reservations and they loved me that same way. There was never a second that I ever doubted the love my grandparents had for me. Because of that love, I was able to open myself up to the love of a great guy – Chris, now my husband of 17+ years!

I’m blessed beyond belief to have had the amazing grandparents that I did. Even though they are no longer with me, I know that the lessons I learned from them will remain and be something I continue to strive towards every day!!!

Who made you the person you are today? What is the biggest thing you learned from them?

Happy Tuesday!!!

Kim