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I had a ridiculous post written. I quoted Chumbawamba (a band from 1997). I was crazy in that post.
I deleted it.
Here’s why. I just found out that a really great woman died.
Her name is Winifred Olds. She had a name that many in Lansing, Michigan (my home town) knew. And I want to tell you why I know her name.
Way back, when I was in fourth grade, I was an awkward, mullet headed, wart fingered little girl. And what I lacked in confidence, I made up for in…well…poor fashion sense.
I wasn’t one of the cool kids.
My safe place was at church. Calvary United Methodist Church on Pennsylvania road in Lansing, Michigan. Want to know why I was safe? Because most everyone at that church was somehow related to me. And, if they weren’t related, they were a bit older and thought my mullet was cute.
My church put on melodramas. The “whoa is me”, “alas”, and “well, I never” type of melodramas. And I loved it. My job? Standing in for my sister Ginger. She missed 78.5% of the rehearsals. I had all of her lines memorized. I may or may not have prayed that she’d miss the performance so that I could be on that little, itty bitty stage.
Winifred Olds directed the play. And she knew her stuff. She was a real, honest to goodness actress. Like. For. Real.
And she said I was a good little actress.
Me.
And when she said that, it made me feel big and small and nervous and proud all at the very same time.
Because I didn’t always feel good at things. And I really loved how it felt to slip into the character and say the bold, brash, crazy, funny things written in the script.
And Winifred said I did it well.
She injected confidence into my life.
And I know I wasn’t the only one to receive her warm encouragement.
I’m so thankful to have had her in my life. Just at a time when I needed encouragement more than anything else.
She had a hand in making me who I am.
How about you? Who had a hand in making you who you are? I love reading what you have to say. Let’s take today to honor those who have helped us along in this life!
susiefinkbeiner.com 
It’s painful and beautiful to honor someone who has died. I have a dear friend who died this weekend. He is partly the reason why my hubby and I met and married. And then he came to live with us! He was full of infectious joy and, though he could be crazy-goofy, was sweetly tender hearted. I’m about to leave for his visitation and my heart is heavy yet deeply grateful for his fingerprint on our lives.
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Oh, Debbie Jo, I’m so sorry! What lovely memories you have. I think that the more dear a person is to us, the harder to let them go.
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Losses are hard. What a beautiful tribute you’ve written. I attended a private school and many of the teachers shaped me into who I am today. Some years in November I take each day to write a note and thank those who have impacted my life.
Eager to read your book!
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Pamela, what a great idea! I think I’ll put November as month to write my appreciation. It’s going right on the calendar!
And, thank you. I hope you enjoy the book.
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