Unexpected People Can Mean So Much...

My mother is a great woman.  Almost anyone will tell you that... except if you are her children.  A mix of depression, bi-polar disorder, prescription pain medication and a mix of other less notable things made my mother a difficult person to live with... to grow up with... to learn from... to love.

I can think of a variety of people through the years that made a positive impact on my life.  People who, in their own ways, worked to undo the damage she inflicted (often unintentionally).

Thank you, Dr. Halon.

Thank you, Gwen.

Thank you, Mrs. Dietchman.

Thank you, Mrs. Senn.

Thank you, Aunt Theresa.

Thank you, Aunt Trudy.

Thank you, Ms. Marsala.

Thank you, Mary.

Each of these people did their part to make a difference in my life.  I could wax poetic about each of them... and at some point, I probably will.  But it is amazing that I can just sit back and think about what I have experienced over the years and although I am no "Precious" -- for arguments sake, I had it good comparatively -- I believe that it really does take a village.  That raising children to be good people is the responsibility of the parent / parents... but sometimes when the parents can't or won't do it right... there is a place for others to step in, there is a place for the community -- the village -- to help raise that person up.

I believe this is my story and I think, after reading Sapphire's book "Push" which "Precious" is based on, this is the story of "Precious" too.