It has been quite a while since I have written about my granddaughter Olivia. I have had several people who enjoy reading about Olivia ask me when I am going to write about her.

I could write about Olivia practically every week because she is a fascinating individual. Her life is not dull.

She is 11 years old now and is already as tall as me or was the last time I saw her on Mother’s Day. She may be taller than me now. It seems she grows several inches each time I see her.

Olivia has been blessed to do so much in her short life. She has performed in many plays. She has sung and danced all over Louisville, performed on a cruise ship and sang the national anthem at the Legends game last year.

She plays soccer and basketball in school. She is a busy young lady and has traveled to many states for her young age.

Olivia is never shy about singing.

This past spring she and her dad were at a Louisville Cardinals baseball game when the announcer asked if there were any children in the audience who would like to come down on the field and try to win some popular concert tickets. Several kids came down out of the crowd, including Olivia.

Her dad was amazed as the announcer said, “I think we have a winner here,” and it was Olivia. She won four concert tickets that day.

About three months ago Olivia competed in Louisville, for Talent on Parade. If she won that competition, she would get to try out in the Talent on Parade National competition near Kansas City, Kansas.

Olivia won that competition so her mom, (my daughter, Kim) and her dad, Ted Haddox, loaded up and were off to Overland Park, Kansas, to the Talent On Parade National Competition.

Of course, this competition was harder, but Olivia does not seem to know any fear. She loves to sing. She seems to know what she wants and is willing to work for it.

I knew when I got the phone call Wednesday night I was going to hear the news of how she did. I could tell by the excitement in her mom’s voice I was going to be happy.

I first understood her to say there was the elite and the Double Diamond. I thought she had come in second and told everyone she came in second. My daughter later informed me I was telling everyone wrong and said, “No, mom! She won!” My granddaughter won a national competition where she sang. Talk about proud.

Her momma said she nailed it and did an excellent job. She was a proud parent but not any more so than her Nana was a proud grandparent.

If Olivia is in a play, she stays in character completely. She always gets a special part but even when she is not speaking she can make you want to continue watching her. I love to watch her perform.

Even though she is the youngest of our 10 grandchildren, she seems to be wise beyond her years and has such a caring heart, whether it is for animals or humans.

She is going to be the entertainment at our AARP chapter meeting this month. I am excited to be once again able to share her with others.

Since she lives in Louisville and stays busy, I do not get to see her as often as I would like.

As she has grown, my love for her has too.

When I watch her, I cannot help but wonder where her talent may take her, and if her interest will stay the same once she does grow up.

Not only is her singing beautiful, but she is also, and I hope she will not let some young man one day keep her from her dreams and using her talent.

I feel blessed I am lucky enough to have watched my granddaughter perform, and I never take that blessing for granted.

Sue Staton is a Clark County native who grew up in the Kiddville area. She is a wife, mother and grandmother who is active in her church, First United Methodist Church, and her homemakers group, Towne and Country Homemakers.