I'm the Product of Greatness...

Have you ever thought about your life in terms of, "How did I get here?" More importantly, "How did I get to be who I am today?"

I had the good fortune this afternoon to meet up with some "long-lost" cousins. My cousin Gail (2nd cousin, actually) and her husband Anthony were in town to see their son Nick (3rd cousin) perform at a convention. You may remember Nick from several blogs I wrote last year. To see what he's been doing, specifically dance, check out this bio: Link

I haven't seen Gail since my grandmother's funeral, 2003. I don't remember when I last saw either Anthony or Nick... though Anthony thinks it was my Dad's funeral - 1986.

Whenever I run into family, especially on my Dad's side, they always comment how much I look like him. Anthony walked up to me from across the room and said he thought my dad was standing there. That just brings a smile to my face... I can't tell you how much that means to me whenever I hear it. I guess it's my own way of keeping him alive somehow...

So we caught up a bit, and then Nick showed up before the actual performance. I don't think I've seen Nick since he was really young... and went by the name, "Nicholas." He's now 28...

After the performance, Nick was swarmed by dozens of dancers and students. While I stood next to Gail, numerous people complimented her by saying, "I love Nick! You really did a good job raising him." Of course, that got me to thinking...

Whether it's good or bad, I am who I am (Popeye!) based upon the choices I've made and the people who have shaped me. In fact, I think we can all say that about ourselves.

For those that know me, family and friends are very important to me. I don't like surface-level conversations, or shallow relationships. I really like to dive into the deep end - I want to know all about someone, as I would hope they would want to know all about me.

Maybe that's why I was so blessed recently to have such incredible friends demonstrate "true friendship" during my recovery. You know the stories, and you know who you are, but I couldn't imagine any better friends in this world than you guys... and not just the locals, but those far away! I think that's a testament to our connection. No matter how our lives have "grown," I think we've always tried to stay in each other's lives in one fashion or another.

With family, I guess my strongest memories about "getting to know someone" can be attributed to my closeness with both of my grandmothers. I was blessed with two incredible grandmothers who impacted my life in different ways. My maternal grandmother, Ottoma Dye, was part Indian and was as tough as nails on the outside. However, she had the softest heart and gave 100% to her family - and I think I can claim a large percentage of that amount. She and I were like two peas in a pod. She practically raised me... We'd talk a lot each day, she'd pick me up from school and made me afternoon snacks, and I loved spending time at her house. She would let me get away with just about anything and everything, to my siblings exasperation's! She died when I was 14, and I was heartbroken for a long time...

My paternal grandmother, Ruby Rawlinson, was almost identical... except different in her own ways. I don't think she ever reached 5-feet in height, but she was a giant in her family. "Jovial" would be a good term to describe her... she laughed constantly! While we didn't live close, we were "pen pals." I would write to her each week, and she'd write to me the following week. I'm serious! We wrote constantly - I wanted her to know all about my life, and that I was thinking about her from miles away. And if I could arrange it, I usually saw her at least twice a year for a week at a time (if not more). We would talk, too, for hours... it was just a very special relationship that I carried from one grandmother to another. She passed when I was 33...

I bring all of this up because it struck me today as I was talking with Nick. We had already said our goodbyes inside the hotel, and I was waiting for the valet to bring my truck. Nick was with a group that was heading to the airport. You gotta know that he travels constantly - this week he's flying home to LA, then to Vegas, and then to Houston... in one week!

I didn't know that his group had come out from the hotel, but he must have seen me sitting on the bench (brace and all!) and came back over to keep me company. We started talking about different things, and then the conversation came back to family: We talked about our grandmothers.

You see, his grandmother lived in the same retirement community with her sister - Ruby. They were very close... best friends! My grandmother was like a mother to his grandmother, too, due to their age differences. Whenever he would go see his grandmother, mine was right there... and vice versa. We chatted about their strength and their love for their families... but we also remembered their laughter.

"Those two could just laugh and laugh," he said. Good memories...

Anyway, Nick went on his way... and my truck showed up. I remember just before I pulled out, I looked over and Nick gave me one last smile and wave before he got into his shuttle van.

The two of us are the product of greatness... and that is just something I'm thankful for today. I hope each of you can look back at the people who have made you "Great" and remember them.

They deserve it...