I have written before about my Dad and how he was such an integral part of my upbringing. He demonstrated his love for me every step of the way and encouraged me at every turn. He taught me to be studious and showed me what leadership is. I believe I am a generous person because I witnessed his generosity to others. Perhaps most importantly he brought me out of my shell and helped me to be more self-assured and confident.

My Aunt Ann filled the role of maternal parent to me. I am ashamed to admit that I probably took her for granted when I was growing up. After all, she was not my real Mom. But when I reflect back on it now I can see that it was quite remarkable what she did. She managed a household that included at one time five other adults, doing mostly all of the shopping, cooking, washing, ironing, cleaning, and nursing, all the while raising her own son who had development issues and her sister’s two children. Although she became somewhat of a recluse to the outside world after her mastectomy, she remained a spiritual woman. She was overprotective to be sure, but the important virtues I learned from Aunt Ann were faith, commitment and selflessness.

In a sense I had a third parent during my childhood and that was my sister. Although only five years older than me, she was more mature than that. I looked up to her often for guidance and direction and she was always there to help me.

I believe that the most significant lesson parents can offer to their children is to show by example what it means to be kind and considerate, to be a good person, and to live a moral life. I am blessed to have been taught that lesson by those who acted as my parents.