I did appreciate the reminder that we all have room in this life to strive to be a better human being. I don't have to be someone I'm not.
Many people in my life speak to my soul, drawing me closer to the person I am and to the person I want to become without mimicking the whole of someone. Who are these people? What kind of 'shoes' would I like to wear? Here are a few of many...
- Andy draws the wider family of siblings, kids, cousins, grandkids into a stronger unit.
- Francis always showed unconditional love.
- Inez had complete faith in me & my abilities even when others didn't.
- Janeann is at peace with who she is, never feeling the need to be who others think she
should be but instead basking in her own... - Joan has an amazing sense of space and clean lines which translates into so much of life.
- Kate is 'the best' at acknowledging others and their efforts.
- Lisa keeps family traditions alive year after year.
- Liz is the all time best listener, never (rarely?) interrupting and always making you feel like the exact person she wants to be with.
- Nan is a spectacular mom, the preverbal connection from birth to forever...she connects with all her boys and they with her!
- Pete brought me to the outdoors; expanding my city girl persona to include all things outdoors.
- Ron is by and far the pleaser. He taught me to reach towards someone, to do an act of service.
- Ruby was the queen of thrift, mentoring me in the need to be prudent and prideful in my purchases.
- And my dear, wonderful Russ is king of patience and clear thinking. He is my guide for tough conversations; ours included. It is all about being a listener first and a talker second. I have been witness over and over in the last 40 years of this gift, with me, the kids, employees and clients..
- My faith journey would not be where is today without a vast amount of friends... Kate, CJ, Angie, Jeanette, Jeff, Jake, Celia, Stacey, Karen, Sandy, Cathy, Heather, Tina and my many friends at FUMC.
Trying to fill someone else's shoes can be depressing because the fit is all wrong. Being consumed by the effort of trying to be someone you aren't shadows your own creation and beauty. But I find aiming towards being a better person with the pieces of others I appreciate is allowing me to strive to be more me than I have ever been.
"Make the most of yourself....for that is all there is of you." --Ralph Waldo Emerson