I heard the unmistakable, catchy beat from two rooms away. As my wife raised the volume to pump up “Glorious,” I immediately danced my way into the kitchen. The cheerful beat from Mackelmore’s song was calling me into the kitchen for an impromptu dance party. Expecting to hear the music coming from a nearby speaker, I was surprised to find the song actually playing from a laptop. I was instantly captivated. My dance moves slowed and, before I knew it, I was holding my face in my hands as I leaned over the kitchen counter to get a better look at the video. My dance party had ended and I was frozen in time, engaged in the beautiful story playing out before me in the music video. And that’s when the tears started to fall from my eyes. I couldn’t help it—the more I watched, the more the tears fell. How had I never seen this video before?

I’ve always appreciated the artistry behind music videos—the creativity that goes into producing a visual masterpiece that tells a song’s perfect story. Of the hundreds, if not thousands, of videos I’ve seen over the years, none has ever struck me as much as “Glorious” did. It was the simplicity that really captured me. It wasn’t filled with a bunch of paid actors or special effects. There weren’t any animations, 3D images, or next-to-impossible stunts.

The video was a celebration—a “Glorious” celebration of Mackelmore’s grandmother, Helen’s, 100th birthday. He surprised her at her home in California on her birthday—his kind gesture of simply being there to spend time with her immediately bringing tears to her eyes. And then the fun began. He took her out for a day that neither of them would ever forget, telling her that they would spend the day doing whatever she wanted. They cruised around town in a convertible Cadillac Eldorado with the top down and did it all. They mischievously egged someone’s house, belted out a duet at a karaoke bar, played games at an arcade, and played dress-up at a consignment shop. The fun continued with Helen’s friends for a surprise celebration that included balloons, a cake covered in candles, a card game, and even a male stripper—just for the fun of it. There’s no doubt that Grandma Helen had the time of her life that day. You could see the joy on her face as she smiled and laughed in every scene. The memory the two created that day is as permanent as the tattoo of his grandmother’s name that Mackelmore stopped to get while they were out celebrating. But perhaps the most touching and beautiful part of the video was the final scene—the one after all the laughs and silliness were over—where Mackelmore and his grandmother sat, hand-in-hand, quietly enjoying the serenity and the gorgeous landscape that Mother Nature had laid out right before them—a gift in itself.

The perfect day was enjoyed by a centenarian and her beloved grandson and it was all captured on film and made into the most “Glorious” video I’ve ever seen. I’m definitely a sucker for anything having to do with the elderly and I especially appreciate anyone that cares for, loves, and puts this population as a top priority, so the premise of the video really hit home for me. It was genuine and moving, while also entertaining and humorous—a perfect combination. Quite simply, that is why it’s absolutely my favorite video of all-time. It made me laugh and it made me cry, but it also made me think and reflect. 

Unfortunately, all four of my grandparents are long-deceased. Two of them were gone before I was born and the other two passed away during my first few months of life. I never had the opportunity to know the joy of having grandparents and it’s something I always wished I had been able to experience. However, I’ve been fortunate in so many other ways. I’ve been blessed with amazing parents and the relationship I’ve always had with my mother is the best there is. As she’s gotten older—now in her eighties--she still has such a love for life. She’s always up for an adventure—a kid at heart who loves to laugh, play games, and travel. I try to follow in her footsteps and enjoy every moment of every day by getting out there and experiencing all that life has to offer. As I watched Mackelmore and his grandmother celebrate and enjoy life on her 100th birthday, I couldn’t help but think about my mother and how many wonderful celebrations and enjoyable moments we’ve shared together over the years—and how many more are yet to come!

Mackelmore gave his grandmother a memorable gift for her 100th birthday and he gave us one as well. The video is a beautiful reminder that the most glorious things in life are health, happiness, and time spent making memories with those we hold most dear. Celebrate life everyday and follow in Grandma Helen’s footsteps and “Do it all!”