| Laugh. Love. Live. | Advice From a Grandma Beauty Queen. The filmmakers Brent and Craig Renaud report from the Arkansas State Queen beauty pageant, where their 92 year-old grandmother is the oldest contestant competing for the 2009 Ms. Senior Arkansas crown - NY Times.

Take the time to watch this video about a sweet lady who is among a population who deserves more attention than they actually receive from the world today.

I usually don't post things that are not 'created' by myself. But, this short video needs to be shared. Like many of my friends, we're slowly seeing our beloved grandparents being sent to nursing homes - voluntarily or involuntarily - and at times it's heartbreaking to witness as they have to permanently say good-bye to a place full of memories where they called home for many years and enter into a world where they have to 'start over'. I try to visit my grandma as much as I can; I have made friends with her neighbors and every time I leave the nursing home, I almost always have this empty feeling inside - many of the people there do not get the attention and care that they deserve. When I take a few minutes to chat with some of them, they are full of stories and experiences and most importantly, full of love and life that is waiting for someone to take the time to hear and share to.

This year I will dedicate more of my photography to a new subject of interest - my grandma and her friends at her nursing home - I'm sure they will teach me valuable lessons about life and inspire me in many ways through my photography.