There are many people I’ve met, experiences I’ve had, books I’ve read, which have inspired and taught me through the years, and which have guided me along my path, or in my journey, so far in this life.
The first of the people who’ve had a great influence on my life, and have taught me the values that I’ve found are important to me, are my parents and my older sister. My mother was a Southern lady, and although she came to California when she was only 10 years old, she was reared by her own mother, also a Southerner, from a long Southern heritage. They were Virginians, though my grandmother was actually born in Limestone, Tennessee, not far from the border between Virginia and Tennessee, where the family had moved for her mother’s health. My father was a Westerner, having been born on the plains of Northeastern Colorado, and moved to California with his family when he was twelve, after eight years in Alberta, Canada. My family expected me to be a good person, to live by the Golden Rule, and this was taught more by example than by preaching. We were a close family, and spent holidays together with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and sometimes family friends. We also went on family vacations, often camping in the mountains, or to the coast of California. So family has been all-important to me from childhood and through my adult years, extending through my children and grandchildren, and sometime-to-be great-grandchildren.
Another member of my family who was a great inspiration to me was my only sister, Joan. We were just under two years apart in age, shared a room during our childhood and adolescent days, and she sometimes led me astray, but always championed me when she felt it was necessary. There were other members of my family who were an inspiration, notably all four of my grandparents, but especially my paternal grandfather, who taught me by example to be a friend to all I meet, and who inspired my love affair with the ocean.
I was also inspired by a few teachers during my school days, most notably my English and then drama teacher, Elizabeth B. Kircher. There were others, Margarite Riley, my teacher in the 5th and 6th grades, and some high school teachers, but Ma Kircher, as we called her, inspired me to become a teacher, and that inspiration became a goal through my high school, and university years. At graduation I received my Bachelor of Arts degree and then after another year of study and practice teaching, I earned my California Secondary Teaching Credential, which is still valid today, as I later was awarded a Life Credential. There’s more to this story, but this will suffice for now.
And another person who has had a tremendous impact on my life in recent years is my Gentleman Friend, Edward, who has become a friend, a teacher, my mentor, and so much more. The lessons I’ve learned, the challenges I’ve faced, and the spirit I’ve come to know through Edward, are simply awesome, and more than I could ever begin to expect would come of this fantastic friendship. I am truly grateful for having met Edward at this time in my life. He inspires me, teaches me, delights me, encourages me and challenges me to become all that I can be! And what more could one hope for in a beloved friend?
Books I’ve read that have inspired me, and continue to inspire me, are simply too numerous to list, but a few that have had a particular impact include THE PROPHET by Kahlil Gibran, the works of William Shakespeare, THE LITTLE PRINCE by Antoine de St Exupery, the poetry of Emily Dickinson, the “Sonnets of the Portugese” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, THE LIFE AND TEACHINGS OF THE MASTERS OF THE FAR EAST by Baird Spaulding, and, more recently, A New Earth by Eric Tolle, Science of Mind by Ernest Holmes, Sex and the Seasoned Woman by Gail Sheehey, The Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd, Goddesses in Older Women, and The Seductress by Betsy Prioleau, to name but a few.
I love music, not as a performer, though I took piano lessons early in my life, but I love to listen to music, some of it performed by members of my own family, notably my daughter, my son, a granddaughter, and a grandson. But if they’re not available, I listen to recorded music, and any source I find available. My preferred genres at present include light classical, big band era, vocals of the 30s through the 50s, Bluegrass, Celtic, some country, and continue to expand with music I haven’t heard before. I especially find inspiration in songs such as the video I’ve placed on this site, “What a Wonderful World,” the music of Blossom Dearie, and other uplifting songs.
And, I continue to learn, continue to be inspired, and to Live this Life to the Fullest!
JOY IS IN THE JOURNEY!
