My Personal Childhood Web

So many people have a great impact on ones life. When I look back on my early years, a lot of people stand out. These are placed in no particular order as each mean a great deal to me as each shaped me into the adult and early childhood professional I am today.

Laura, my older sister is my best sister (I have four) but she just did not know it right away. She has cared for me since the day I was born. I was the little sister always tagging along right on her heels around the neighborhood for so many years; always looking up to her. We attended summer camps together because I was too afraid to go alone and she knew it. As we grew older, we would hang out with each other's friends because we were a packaged deal. Those younger years of a close bond ad sharing secrets taught me to be a great friend to many others over the years and into my adult life. Always being a listening ear to their trials because that is what Laura and I were for one another. 

My Great Aunt Sharon. This woman was the grandmother I always needed and she was happy to fill that role in my life. She always supported me and offered advice when I needed it. Aunt Sharon always made each child feel special and unique and I got that with her. I always hope to pass that to the children I work with on a daily basis because I know how important that is as Aunt Sharon always offered this to me. 

My dad, Melvin was truly the best and I still strive to be the parent he was for my siblings and I. He was always supporting me in sports and scouts when I was very young and then with playing music as I entered high school. When I joined the military, he was right there and had my back to let me go pursue my dream and always letting me know how proud he was of me. So much of what I do now as adult is because I know he would be there championing for me and asking me how things are going with my own family and career. Unfortunately, he passed away over ten years ago but I still feel him pushing me to do better things and be a better person, which is why I am continuing my education. This is the type of support I hope to offer others. I want people to follow their dreams and feel like I am standing there in the wings for them to do their best. 

Being a middle child, with an older brother, two older sisters, and two younger sisters; I was the peacekeeper. I still wear that title to this day. Growing up, I was always the one to try to get everyone to be friends again and stop arguing for just the smallest amount of time, easier said that done when there are six of you. I loved being the middle child to because I got to spend time with all my siblings whether it was as the little sister or as the big sister. I was always able to fit in with any crowd because of this. Now as an adult, I am always looking for the solution for others. I want to help everyone work through his or her troubles. Also, because I am a middle sibling and being offered the opportunity to spend time in the role of big sister or little sister now as an adult I am able to go into any situation and be a part of the group because this was something I did so much as a child. Knowing how to fit right in is what I do so well. I do not change myself, but I just know how to work well in a group because of being part of a group my whole life. 

Who is someone who stands out for you? Or what is a role you have maintained your whole life? I know we all have so many who have helped along the way so it may be difficult to choose.