Many of you have met my sweet grandmother Sid Kirkland (better known as “Omie”) whether you spent time at the “lakehouse” in Florida or Texas or met her when she came to help me move into my first apartment in New York.  If you’ve met her, you know she is a very special person and is so dear to me and my family.  Last summer she was diagnosed with cancer and has been undergoing treatment since.  It’s been a tough road but her heart is strong.  When I call her, she is always so upbeat and thoughtful.  I wanted to write a blog about her, however brief, just to share a little more about her with all of you.

- She likes sparkles.  Her good friend Ginger has always teased her about her glitzy taste.  She has fun jewelry for every outfit and only recently stopped wearing high heels.  This made for great clothes to play dress up in.

- She loves to entertain.  At Omie’s house, the kitchen is always bustling to get ready for the next big event.  But there is of course, always a break for happy hour where she mixes and mingles.  She loves having people fill her home with fun and laughter.  She has a heart to serve others and she does this through her hospitality.

- She loves the water.  Omie grew up on a lake in Wisconsin and I think that has forever shaped her need to be close to, if not in, the water.  Swimming, boating, fishing, whatever the case may be, being near a lake or the ocean gives her joy.

- Her mash potatoes are to die for… and she knows it.  There is none better that I’ve tasted.  At a typical Thanksgiving at Omie’s, I piled my plate full of mashed potatoes with a small side of turkey.  And because she knows how much I love those mashed potatoes, she thoughtfully made them every time I came around growing up.

- She’s a daddy’s girl.  Her father, my great grandpa, died in World War II in a plane crash.  Although she was only 16 at the time, the stories she tells about him are still vivid and full of fondness and love.  Much of his character passed on to her.  And in turn, she passed this on to us.

I am so thankful for this amazing woman in my life and know that much of who I am is because of her.  I know many of you have experienced her generosity and her fun-loving spirit and hope this gives you a little more insight into this very important person.