I’ve been busy the last couple of weeks helping my family pull off a huge surprise birthday party bash for my father.  Our family ties are extremely strong so this was an event that we poured our hearts into.  The party was (Saturday).  The results of that event made my visit to church Sunday morning much more poignant.

It was my second visit to this particular church today.  The members were very friendly and after service I was approached by an elderly woman- an elder in the church.  She had a beautiful smile that pulled you right into her space.  As she gave me a hug she asked my name.  Then she told me “I love you – call me grandma.”

I’m a hugger but there was something about her hug that resonated within me.  You see, I never got a chance to meet any of my grandparents.  My two paternal grandparents and my maternal grandmother died before I was born and my maternal grandfather died the year he was planning to visit us in Chicago for the first time.  So there was always a missing piece in my heart- calling someone “grandma”.

So when this mother of 12 children held me and said “I’ll be your grandma”, I lost it.  I told her she had no idea what she just did for me.  I felt like a little girl again- only this time ready to sit in “grandma’s” lap.  I told her I never knew my grandparents and never got to call anyone grandma.  She smiled as though she knew what I was missing and said “well now you have one so don’t be a stranger.”

Be encouraged, Bolder Sisters.  Your lives matter to people you haven’t even met yet.  Stay bold and work on your Bolder Sister pledges and hone your gifts because someone out there needs you.  Trust that God will not only guide you but will put people in your life “for such a time as this.”  He knows what you need.  Keep going because someone needs your love and encouragement. They need a sister, mother, or… a grandma.

Bolder Sisters, do you want to reach out to others and hesitate and if so, what can you tell yourself to reverse that hesitation?

Kim Woods earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems at DeVry University. She developed a love for writing poetry and short stories as a child. Kim is socially conscience and her desire to use her life experiences to help others is what drives her to seek opportunities to share her story. She decided to write freelance for the Bolder Sister because it is her desire that women evolve and thrive in their own authentic truth.
Kim resides in Chicago, Illinois and has one son, Donald. In addition to writing, she spends free time creating unique wall art, decorating, and teaching herself how to sculpture. She also has a blog Who Will Speak.