Who Made You, You

Tell Us About Them

My cousin Joey’s Nova, where I heard Led Zeppelin for the first time

As promised, the stories from the last few days about inspirational high school teachers got me thinking about the ripple effect in our lives of folks who may not even realize how they affected you.

For example, I had a sixth grade teacher named Ms. Janet (the only non-nun teacher at my elementary school) who presented me with a book on Greek Mythology with a note that I should keep writing. I think I’ve read that book 50 times. Still have it. Still writing. Her encouragement is a core memory that shaped me directly. But… I don’t think she ever realized it.

It doesn’t have to be a a teacher either. My cousin Joey introduced me to rock and roll, just about when I was Little Bean’s age. Doobie Brothers. Heart. Black Sabbath. All from him. He owned a sparkle brown Chevy Nova with an honest to goodness 8-track tape player. He’d buckle me in the front seat (yes, I know) crank Bad Company to 11 and we’d go get slurpees at 7-11. I can’t even begin to calculate how much he influenced my love of music.

Yet another cousin loved astronomy and science and was the first in our family to get a higher ed degree. He made college sound cool and interesting to me, made me want to go and so I did.

So often, we have no idea what our real world presence actually means. There’s no way, really, to qualify just existing. It’s one thing to be a celebrity or politician - you see and adjust how and who you are to accommodate (or to not) fans or constituents.

But not us. We’re just normal. We just go about a normal life doing everyday things so it’s hard to tell.

What if telling that random person they have cool shoes, or that other person to keep on trying, or that person over there that’s reading a book you like, what if that makes a difference? Gives them a boost. Turns their day around. Inspires them to do the same to someone else.

We have no idea. I know, I know, in rereading this, I think I sound pretty corny. But that’s fine. I’ll accept that.

So give it a try. Here’s your job. Let somebody who is an inspiration/influence and is still with us and reachable actually know how much they matter. Tell them. Say their names.

For me, when I really really think about what drives me (I mean aside from my immediate family) a few folks come to mind.

First, all of you. It’s crazy to me that some of you are so engaged that you take the time to actually share and write and comment on our little missives here. Blows my mind! You inspire me to keep going.

Also, there’s this little boy I see at the library every single week - funny, inquisitive, smart, high energy. He’s brought me little stones which I display near my desk. I can’t wait to see him! He represents all the kids like him that walk through our doors. All of them. They, more than anything, inspire me to keep making the library a safe, inspirational place for them to grow.

So tell us, who gets you moving everyday? What little interaction still rings inside your head? Who helped you get where you are?

We’d love to hear about them!

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Housekeeping: a quick note to say thank you for all the wonderful birthday wishes yesterday! Alas, my day was spent at the library, which was fine. My staff brought me a cake and many, many patrons stopped by to wish me well, so that was nice! I did come home to a box of pastries and a balloon cupcake and sushi waiting for me in the fridge so not bad, not bad at all. Anyway, I appreciate you all. Let the next orbit around the Sun begin! You come too!