My grandmother, my hero

To the editor:
    The woman who added so much to my life died this past week. When I moved to Patten — young, pregnant, scared and not knowing anyone — my Gram was the lady I drove half an hour to spend time with, to talk to, to shop with. She was my confidant. The woman who laughed with me until tears came. Gram taught me how to be a lady and the value of investing in oneself, that who you present will be who people remember. Gram smelled like a garden in Spring, with skin as soft as a rose petal. To Gram, I owe the love of going to the library and reading book after book. I don’t remember a time when Gram didn’t have a book sitting on the stand next to her or on her lap as she snoozed on lazy days.
    There are way too many things learned from Margaret L. Daniels to list. She was just a very cool lady. As I sit here, the tears streaming, I think of all the things that I will do in my life because of Grammie. I know when my children grow and go on their own, I will call them just to chat and to laugh about the craziness of life. I will love them unconditionally and with all that I am. I will embrace the ones I love and see them for who they are, not what I want them to be. I will be available for my friends, willing to listen and keeping my opinions to myself unless they ask for it. I will know what I believe in, who I am and I will have the passion to live life with no regrets.
    We all have flaws but they don’t make us, rather they enhance the good in us. So, even though we’ve heard this so often, think about that person(s) in your life that make you smile when they come to mind. Call them, write them a letter, go see them and when you do, tell them of all they bring to your life.
Lida Daniels
Machias