I was looking outside my window today and my Grandad came to mind. He was a man who loved his family, the law, the South Carolina Gamecocks and his church. He passed away August 25, 2012. It has been a little over a month since he left us. I knew my grandad as a man of faith who believed all things are possible when you walk with the Lord. He also believed in the power of prayer. Since today is Sunday, I guess that is why he especially came to mind. If I had to guess, I would say that Sunday was his favorite day of the week. I never knew of him to miss a mass at his church. Even when he and my grandmom would come to visit us, which is a four hour drive each way, he always made sure they would leave my house early enough to make it to mass at his church on time for that week. When he was diagnosed with cancer he was still very optimistic, and I knew he knew Jesus was by his side. I also knew that as his painful illness progressed and he was unable to go to church that he really was sick, as church was very much a part of his life. He was a very outgoing person who met no strangers with a booming voice that greeted you along with a quick hug or handshake. Right after he got sick, I remember my mom saying that he had told her when my scolisis had gotten worse and we were going to try a new brace for me called the L.A. Brace that I still wear and learn Schroth Therapy which was new for me at the time that he knew I was going to get better. He told her that he was and had and would continue to pray for me and my scoliosis. He said that he knew prayers were answered as he had had prayers answered and he believed this one would be answered. He had faith. I know Grandad did pray for me along with alot of other people who still do pray for me. I am so thankful for all of them. I believe Grandad was right. I feel those prayers are being answered as my scoliosis is better. My back in x-rays doesn’t even look the same. I know that it will never totally go away, but it is so much better, and I am not in pain. I have been blessed with some earthly angels that have helped with this journey. I have my family who have helped me get the treatment I need, Ms. Joanie Stewart my former ballet teacher who discovered the scoliosis so I could begin seeking help before it worsened, Gez Bowman the most unbelievable orthotist and Beth Janssen, Elizabeth Garrett, Nancy McVeigh and Patti Orthwein my Schroth therapists and my pediatrician, Dr. Joan Cheshire who is more than a doctor, but long-time friend. They have all been honest with me while never giving me false hope. They have each shared their wisdom, expertise and tireless help. I think that Grandad just didn’t know that when he along with everyone else who has been praying for me that part of the answer was in sending these earthly angels my way. Each of them is alot like my grandad when I think about it. They are all passionate people who believe in what they do and are doing it because they truly want to help people like me. Grandad was very passionate about his work, hobbies, family and faith. That is one adjective that I believe describes Grandad well…PASSIONATE. I am so thankful to have had a grandad that has shown me the power of prayer and his passion for life. I look outside today as the rain is peacefully falling on this Sunday evening and I can almost imagine his voice calling my name in his booming Charleston accent. He owned that sound and it was so much a part of him. Thanks Grandad for those prayers! I know they were answered as I am proof as I stand taller! With my newfound height, I just hope I can help others in their plight against scoliosis and let them know that we can beat scoliosis with early diagnosis, medical advances in therapy, braces and surgery. We don’t have to be scared and in pain. Yes Grandad, I did inherit something else from you too. That is called passion. Maybe I have just found mine. I love you!!!