Growing Through It: Her faith, my foundation

This past week, I said goodbye to my grandmother. For so many years, I didn't know her. My dad and I had been estranged since I was 6, and it wasn't until I was 18 that I finally got to build a relationship with her. That gave me 17 years with her—17 years I will never stop being thankful for. In that time, Mammy taught me so much—grace, wisdom, patience. She wasn't perfect, and neither am I. We disagreed plenty of times. But she loved me through every season, and that love left a mark that will never fade. She and my Pappy were a huge reason I have the faith I do today. They carried me through my divorce, walked beside me in the lowest valleys, and celebrated with me when I finall