I've created this page to honor those who nurtured, taught and influenced me as a child. In other words, it is about the people who have helped to make me the person I am today.
My grandmother, Vincensa "Jane" Eaton, was the greatest positive influence in my life. My grandmother's love of life, her family, children, reading and the outdoors was contagious. She had a gentle way of guiding her loved ones. She taught me all of the practical skills that I needed to take care of myself-sewing, cooking, gardening, how to handle men and to be a good person. Although I could not match her level of religious devotion, I found it to be inspirational. My grandmother passed on to me her love of children, reading, gardening and other cultures. My grandmother left this world 11 months ago at the age of 96. During one of our last conversations, she advised me to do what made me happy and to let the rest fall into place. Whenever I wonder what I should do, I think of my grandmother's advice.
Another person who influenced me as a child was Miss Ellis, the cook at the Gloversville Day Nursery, the Head Start program that I attended. We didn't see much of Miss Ellis during the school day. Quite often, my sister and I were the last children to be picked up at the program. As the last staff member to leave each evening, she was charged with our care until our parents arrived. Miss Ellis never sighed, complained or checked the time. Instead, she read to us, played endless games of CandyLand or engaged us in some other activity until our parents' arrival. When I am caring for the last child at the center or in a specific room, I am certain to use that time as an opportunity to give that child the 1:1 attention that is so hard to come by during a normal, busy day. This lesson, taught to me by example by Miss Ellis, is not one that I will forget.
No comments:
Post a Comment