Through the quiet strength and wisdom of his grandmother Lila, Chris Rhoades learned that love is a daily choice, generosity a way of living, and freedom comes from holding life lightly. Her legacy continues to shape how he lives, gives, and loves today
Lessons from Lila
When Chris Rhoades reflects on the person who most shaped his understanding of love, generosity, and grace, he thinks of his grandmother Lila. She didn’t teach through long speeches or formal lessons; she taught by how she lived—steady, kind, and grounded in what truly mattered.
Lila’s love wasn’t romanticized or fleeting—it was intentional. She understood that love wasn’t something you simply felt but something you practiced. Whether in her marriage or her relationships with family, she chose to love each day, even when life was difficult. Chris remembers how she carried herself with quiet strength, always extending kindness when it would’ve been easier to retreat or judge. Her love wasn’t loud—it was faithful, constant, and rooted in commitment.
From that same place of love flowed a deep generosity. Lila gave without hesitation—her time, her home, her heart. Chris recalls countless moments when she opened her door to others, sharing meals, laughter, or simply a listening ear. Her generosity wasn’t measured in what she had but in how freely she gave of herself. Through her, Chris learned that giving is less about abundance and more about awareness—seeing what others need and responding with compassion.
As she grew older, Lila modeled another lesson that continues to guide Chris today: the art of holding life lightly. She didn’t cling to possessions, achievements, or even expectations. She seemed to know instinctively that the things we grasp most tightly often have the least eternal weight. Her ease came not from indifference but from perspective—she understood that joy and meaning are found in people, not things; in presence, not accumulation.
Looking back, Chris sees that his grandmother’s life was a quiet masterclass in spiritual maturity. Her strength came not from striving but from surrender. Her peace came from gratitude, her joy from giving, and her legacy from love that was chosen, not chanced.
In remembering her, Chris is reminded of what it means to live well—to choose love when it’s hard, to give freely even when it costs something, and to hold life with open hands. Through her example, he continues to learn that the most profound lessons are often lived, not spoken, and that the truest kind of wealth is a heart shaped by love.