For all that she’s endured and experienced in this life, Babcia is surprisingly upbeat and positive most of the time. She has a way of seeing the good in almost everything, which also puts those around her at ease. Not to say that she’s always sunshine and rainbows, as I’ve mentioned before she has a little bite to her as well. This sweet and salty mix is always interesting, and always true to Babcia. However the sweet always outweighs the salty.

Babcia likes to throw out little nuggets of wisdom now and then. She notices more than she says, and once in a while an observation or a comment slips out that shows just how much she does notice. She is a very wise lady; no wonder, considering the life she has lived.

Life is change, and it seems lately changes abound all around me. As I age, children grow, families grow, paths diverge. While change can be exciting, it can also be intimidating. We live day to day not knowing what is next, and then out of no where suddenly change is right in front of our faces. I was talking to Babcia the other day about all this. She is a good listener and great at giving pep talks. I told her about some of my fears and hesitation and she said something to me to turn it all around, as usual. She said, “Don’t worry about me, I could be gone tomorrow. But you have a daughter and a grandson coming, whatever you do think of them and do it for them.” BAM, just like that she made it simple. First of all, I told her she would not be gone tomorrow because she was too salty and only the good die young (we jokingly say this to each other all the time). As I try to maneuver through life and better myself, I hit roadblocks like everyone else. But she was there to remind me why I do what I do. The reason we all do the things we do. We do these things for the people we love as much as we do them for ourselves. I don’t fear change, I fear my reaction and response to change. I fear that I won’t be up to the challenge. I fear failure. Then she reminds me that I am “her child, and that she only had smart children so she knows that I am smart.” Her words lift me above the self-doubt and fear and I can go on to face another hill, another day. I treasure these talks.

How lucky am I to have my own cheering squad? Between Babcia and my daughter, I am constantly told that I am capable, I am smart, and that I can do tough things. Their words convince me and carry me on to the next challenge life throws my way. Even when I don’t believe in me, they always do. I never want to let them down. So I will keep moving forward, knowing they’re behind me every step of the way.