All four of my grandparents are awesome in their own ways, but with regard to overall strength my paternal grandmother takes the prize.
For her 80th birthday a few years ago, all of her children and their families came to celebrate. On the night of her birthday, we went out to a restaurant. Instead of enjoying some unhealthy food on her birthday, my grandma ate very healthy food, just like she usually does. Perhaps that type of commitment to a healthy diet is the reason she was just as healthy and mobile as all of her children 30 years younger than her. Or perhaps it was the fact that instead of eating donuts for breakfast with the rest of us she was down at the gym exercising. She doesn't look 80 years old, and I don't think she ever will.
I wish I had the same determination to be healthy as she does. That's one thing about her that hasn't been successful at influencing me, at least not yet. But it's not my fault. It's food's fault for being so damn tasty. And exercise's fault for being too hard. Ok, it is my fault. I'm a lazy bastard who is not in shape. Wait, I take that back, round is a shape.
When my grandma isn't exercising and takes the time to relax, it's usually in front of the TV keeping up with current events and politics. Every weeknight we visit the night is spent watching Rachel Maddow on MSNBC. My grandma loves her because she is a "strong, smart woman". This is a common theme with her political statements. All of the problems we have are because the country is run by men. I think this is borderline sexist, but I know better than to mouth off to her. Our political views are usually something we have in common, but we were in opposition in 2008 because of the gender issue—I liked Barack Obama because he was awesome, she liked Hillary Clinton because she is a woman. She has always been very politically involved. She even ran for office when she was younger. She didn't win, but this was in a time where women weren't really involved in politics, so it was a statement just to run in the first place. She has donated a lot of time and money over the years and every visit seemed to have at least one phone call from the DFL asking her for more. Some of the coolest things in my grandparents' house are all of the signed pictures of her with politicians. The list includes recognizable names such as Hubert Humphrey, Walter Mondale, Jimmy Carter, and Hillary Clinton. Depending on your political persuasion, you might not think highly of those people, but it's noteworthy regardless.
I would have to guess I inherited my political views from her. Neither of my parents are especially outspoken with regard to politics, and none of my other grandparents are either. I love to form opinions, and I especially love to argue. My grandma's outspokenness about politics has inspired me to not be afraid about expressing my opinions, and to not worry about what other people think. I am really glad she was able to instill this quality in me, as it is one of the qualities that defines me as a person.
She's retired, but she still has to work hard every day. My grandpa has declined a bit mentally over the past couple of years, and she makes sure he takes his medications, drives him down to Hardee's to talk with his friends, and tries to limit him to two glasses of wine. Both of them have somewhat short tempers and every once in a while you overhear them having a bit of a heated discussion, but it never escalates. I think my grandma is really good at keeping things under control.
She has influenced me this way as well. Although I love to argue, I don't get angry. I get sarcastic, bitter, and condescending, but I don't get mad at people. She has enforced my ability to argue without it getting out of hand.
In general, she is a force to be reckoned with in influencing her grandchildren. When I forgot to send her a thank-you note, she let me know, she didn't ignore it. One of the first things she said to me on my next visit was asking me if my arm was injured. When I or any of my siblings or cousins did something wrong they were going to get a talking-to. Not an angry one, by any means, just one that makes sure we understand. She is able to be effective in discipline in a way parents can not.
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