When you're little, you never imagine what's it's going to be like to lose a grandparent. They're there for Christmas, birthdays and even picking you up from ballet Tuesday nights. Until one day it stops, and the time eventually comes where you have to say goodbye.

The absence of an influential person leaves you thinking "What now?" and "How do I carry on with my life?" I was told the answer to those questions were to, "Let them live though you with the knowledge they have left you." And that's exactly what I'm going to do. I've decided to share some of the short and sweet lessons I have learned from my grandmother and will carry throughout my life.

1. Always have gas in your car.

2. Put down your phone when you are talking to someone.

3. Give rides to people.

4. Education is the best gift you can receive, so study and make the most of it.

5. Be kind to yourself and others. Always.

6. Money can only buy you a materialistic happiness, nothing more, nothing less.

7. Find what you love and throw yourself into it.

8. Understand where other people are coming from.

9. Stand up for yourself.

10. Close your eyes and imagine the best person you can be. That is who you really are. Let go of anything that doubts you from thinking so.

11. If a boy doesn't open doors for you, then he isn't the one.

12. Value other people's trust and never disobey it.

13. Find your talents and use them to your ability.

14. You are not obligated to be the same person you were 5 minutes ago.

15. Be passionate about something.

16. Invest in a warm coat and expensive perfume.

17. Give your mother compliments.

18. Always find time for the things that make you happy you’re alive.

19. Cards are more meaningful than a text or e-mail.

20. Forgive and forget.

21. Always have something to look forward to and someone to love.

22. You'll look better with less eyeliner.

23. If it's important to you, you'll find a way. If not, you'll find an excuse.

24. Be passionate about your friends passions.

25. Save every picture you can.

Grandma, I'll never forget you, or the memories you have left me.

XOXO, Em.