Words of Wisdom

I think that grandparents are so special and if you are fortunate enough to have living grandparents that you can develop a relationship with that is a very special thing. I am one of those people who has been fortunate enough to have had living grandparents that love me and know me through and through. I am going to highlight the grandparents that have made the largest impact on me.

I am going to start with Stan Vermillion, who I call "Daddy Stan." Daddy Stan is still living and is a retired Kidney Doctor in Johnson City, Tennessee. He is my dad's dad and he had three children: Scott, Drew (my dad) and Wendy. Something truly special that my dad experienced growing up was going to their family beach house at Ocean Isle Beach, named the "Wendy Gayle." They have so many fond memories of going there as a family and taking their friends and eating ham biscuits and rotal dip. This house is now something we grandchildren have gotten to go to growing up and re-create similar memories that my dad and his siblings had. Now the Wendy Gayle holds an extremely special place in my heart and I cannot wait create new memories in that house when I have a family of my own one day. Three things that Daddy Stan loves so much besides the Wendy Gayle are his farm, dog, and ice cream. When I would go visit Daddy Stan in Johnson City as a little girl he would always take me to the farm where I would drive my sisters around in the golf cart followed by his dog Candy chasing by my side. Then we would go fishing in the little pond on the property and would get my height carved into the little red barn by Daddy Stan. After a long, fun day at the farm we would go to Dairy Queen on the way home and get ice cream and pick up a blockbuster movie to watch that night, These memories that I have made with my grandfather are very unique and we have grown so close over the years of me visiting every summer for so many years.

This year Daddy Stan went through a traumatic experience. He had a stroke out of nowhere when he was riding the gator on the farm by himself. He fell off the gator into the ground and his current dog Millie was barking and yelping because she didn't understand what had happened to him. Luckily for my entire family, Millie is an extremely smart dog and knew where Daddy Stan's neighbor lived. She went to his house and barked and barked until she came outside and Millie led her to where Daddy Stan was laying and she called an ambulance. If it wasn't for Millie or his neighbor, who knows how long he could have laid there. When he got to the hospital they realized he had forgotten how to speak and walk. When he got released from the hospital, my step-grandmother Mr.s Pam brought Millie to greet him. When he was finally able to see his dog again, their embrace was something I had never seen before, the true thankfulness for Millie saving his life. Over this past year he has worked very vigorously to gain these back through physical and speech therapy. This made me really take a step back and think about how precious life is and the people in it and how they can be taken away from us in a nano second. I visited him this year for Thanksgiving and helped him walk around to all his favorite spots on the farm and even take him on a slow golf cart ride. I cherished every moment I was able to spend with him because he is still on this earth doing the best he can after his stroke. He came to visit about a week ago and I was able to spend the afternoon with him and he gave me a pep talk about graduating from college and moving to Austin and I will forever be thankful for this one on one time together.

Another important grandparent to me is Jane who I call "Mimi" who is my dad's mom. Mimi and I had a very special relationship growing up because we are very similar and she would refer to me as her "Mini me." When I would visit her she would have the most wonderful breakfast prepared to me when I came downstairs and a tight itenary of all the fun things we were gong to do that week. These activities would consist of getting our nails done, going shopping, getting my hair done at Lilly Lu's, swimming in her neighbor's pool, playing with her best friend's dog and playing dress-up with her old clothes. We made so many sweet memories together and learning about her incredible recipes and party planning skills. When she threw an event it was the most elegant event put together with love and passion with countless of her favorite homemade dishes such as Chicken Poppy Seed. Whenever Mimi entered a room the entire room would light up because she was such a positive person and so engaging. For example, when she would go to the Wendy Gayle, if it was cloudy she would look at the sky and say "I am going to burn it off" and I kid you not it would turn into being a beautiful day at the beach after she arrived. Mimi passed away from Dementia this year which was a really hard thing for me because I was her first grandchild and we were so close. However, I know she is in a better place and that she is so proud of the girl I am today and a lot of the reason I am who I am is because of her influence on me.

Another important grandparent relationship I had was my mom's dad, K Borden, who I call "Daddy K." He was a phenomenal business mad and had several family business that he started, one of which was Borden Brick and Tile, which is now called Carolina Ceramics, which my family continues to run and be involved in. From the time I can remember he had Parkinsons, which was sad because I never got to know him when he was at his full potential. However, I was still able to build a really strong relationship with him because he lived in my childhood neighborhood so I could ride my bike to his house. He passed away five years ago, but his memory still lives on because of how much of an impact he had on me. His sweet demeanor, go getter attitude, smart decision making and his ability to be selfless. Something he told me was "When much is given, much is expected" and I live by that every day and I know he would be so proud of me.

Lastly, but certainly not least is my mom's mom Carolyn Borden who I call "Mema." Mema is my best friend and we have a very special relationship. Not only did I grow up riding my bike to her house, but I was lucky enough to have several pep talks and had her present at most every huge moment in my life. She came to so many of my tennis matches, lacrosse games and dance recitals, She has come to my speeches, graduations and confirmation. She has been such an integral part of my life and I don't know where I would be without her. This past weekend she threw a graduation party for me and my friends and it was the most lovely event and I was able to introduce her to my college friends and let them see why I am the way I am because of her influence in my life. This is what I texted her: "Hi Mema😇 I just wanted to say thank you so much for throwing me the most wonderful party!!! I had the best time ever and my friends all adored you💚 I loved your speech at the end it was such a special night!!!!! I am so lucky to have a best friend and grandmother like you! You truly are my role model and I want to be just like you when I grow up! 💙💙💙💙🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍." I think this sums up how strongly I feel about Mema and her impact on me and I try every day to live like she does, full of goodness, kindness and generosity. I could not be more thankful for her presence in my life.