I've always been a wild card. As I've gotten older, I haven't been tamed. There have been many people along the way who have tried to tone me down - to make me feel badly for who I am. And then there was my Gammie. Gammie was the one person who never told me I was too much. She never tried to change who I am. Instead, my Gammie used to tell me how proud she was. She encouraged my dreams, she had patience with my wild ways, and she always made me feel like I'm special for who I am instead of ashamed for who I am not.
My Gammie is my angel. She's my lucky charm. Fittingly, her birthday is also St. Patrick's Day. She passed away in 2008 while I was holding her hand - and has not left my side since. I have vivid dreams of her and I talk to her when I'm scared. I ask for her support when I need faith. In every major milestone since she left - I know she's been there. She's left me signs, visited my dreams, and makes sure that I know she's watching me and rooting for me every single step on my path. She's a big part of why I feel so confident in my nontraditional journey, because I'm not really ever alone.
Today is St. Patrick's Day - Gammie's birthday. And although she's not physically here - I'll always take time to celebrate the woman that has never let me fall. I never got the opportunity to truly express my appreciation and love for the woman who showed me strength and kindness can coexist. She taught me a woman is whomever and whatever she wants. She was the classiest woman I have ever known and showed me that the best revenge is to quietly be the best you can possibly be. To always give back to those in need without hesitation. And she taught me the value of family.
So today - a day about luck and believing in magic - I will celebrate all that my lucky charm is to me and all that she has empowered me to be.
I hope whoever your lucky charms are, you take the time to tell them and love them and celebrate the hell out of who they are and how they make you feel. Lucky Charms really are magic, and they're not easy to come by. Don't ever take that for granted.