My grandma has been quite a hit on my sites. I still receive emails that go something like this… “How is your grandma, the one who had her elderly book club read The Single Girl’s Guide to Meeting European Men?” Well, “still chugging along,” as she says.

And you probably know that she still likes to dispense tips. She just gave me one for Travel Thursday. “I want all your readers to know that while they’re young, they need to travel, explore, and not let a second of happiness slip away.”

Speaking of happiness, we recently had a going-away celebration for Smitty, the incredible man who has been running her rest home. Through her tears, she said, “I refuse to say goodbye. I learned that word never goes well.” Grandma and Smitty shared many happy times.

I’m sure everyone will love Smitty at his new job. I was always touched at how he decorated the rest home to the nines for holidays. “Many of these residents have spent their lives decorating their homes for their families,” Smitty told me. “And now that they no longer can, I try to do the same for them.” He is a great example and one that will be greatly missed.