Today was my Grandma Carbol's birthday. She would have been 87 years old.

She passed away almost 4 years ago. Before she died, we had a long talk, and I asked for her blessing to name a little girl after her. She thought about it, and told me that it would be lovely, but that it had to be her middle name. I had hoped that she would be here with all of us when I finally had my little one, but it wasn't to be. I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to ask her, because it meant she knew she would have a namesake.

Her namesake is 4 weeks old tomorrow:
Lily Ruth Carbol Ritcey.

I can only hope that I raise a daughter that is as gracious and kind as my grandmother was.