There is no doubt in my mind that the people who influenced me the most are those who raised me. Guided me, helped me build my faith… my parents, my grandparents, and the adults who were in my life as I grew up. It was a different time, the world less invasive without social media and computers. We socialized, we spent time talking, storytelling, listening and caring for each other. Church was a constant place we gathered. Sunday school, church 3 times a week, choir practice, MYF on Wednesday nights. I grew up watching people, learning from actions and deeds as well as words.

I was influenced the greatest by those who guided me, explained to me, led me to believe, in myself and God. Who taught me the morals, to look for the goodness of and in God and people and showed me empathy, kindness, and grace. It is why I struggle now so deeply, the changes. The indifference,  and the way the world seems to have  lost its way… I miss them all so very much, but I stand steady, even in the heaviness of the world today, because of them, grateful for them, blessed I know to have had them…