We all have heroes. Some admire celebrities such as Kobe Bryant, Drake, Tina Fey, and Lana Del Rey, while others will mention their families, specifically their older sibling or parent. For me, It is all of the above, but today, I am going to discuss a woman who has been a major support system in my life and those around her. The woman I am speaking about is my grandmother. Here are my reasons why my grandmother is my inspiration:

1. She has a heart of gold.

Growing up, I've always visited my grandmother. I remember when we would sit in the living room and she would be on her sewing machine, sewing together fabric she had for when she decided to make clothes for our family, or to sew up holes in our clothing. She has spent years taking clothes that our family outgrew and giving them to the church. My grandmother taught my brother and I that you must be respectful of others and give back to your community.

2. Her cooking skills are remarkable.

If there is one person I have to credit for my love of food (besides my mom), it would be my grandmother. Her cooking has always been my favorite. She can make pancakes, rice and beans, eggs, sausage and peppers, and steak, but one of my longtime favorites is the Johnny Cake, which is this dough she fries in a pan. My grandmother would make enough for my brother and I to hold us until dinner. The other day, I came home from school, and before I even went into the kitchen to say hello to my grandmother, I could smell the dough frying in the pan, and it reminded me of my childhood.

3. She is honest about everything.

While my grandmother is known to be a kind-hearted individual who is extremely loving, she has a history of being sassy all the time. She is stubborn about how she wants things done, whether it's laundry, cooking, dishes, or even cleaning, and then tells you how she feels about everything and everyone, which can be really funny most of the time. Her bold personality and her honesty is what makes me respect her so much, even when there are times where I do disagree with her and her views. Her bold attitude is what inspires me daily to put myself out there and go for what I want.

4. She is always there for me.

From the moment I was born to now, my grandmother has been a huge support system in my life. She has supported my dreams of writing, of going to college in the city, even going so far as letting me stay with her, and shows me love and affection every time I see her. Her actions show that she wants nothing but the best for me and makes sure that I'm happy, healthy, and making something of myself .

All in all, my grandmother is a strong Dutch woman who came from Aruba, worked in a hospital, bought her own house where she raised two boys, where they raised their own children, and now, in her 80s, she has slowed down, but she's still sassy as ever and I love her for it.