It took me a while to think about the important people in my life when I was younger. I don't remember much of my childhood, for whatever reason.
My parents played a huge role in my life. Mainly, my step-father. He has been in my life since I was 18 months old. He worked swing shifts, raised six girls, and still made time to show us that we were and still are important to him. He would wake me up in the morning for school with breakfast made, my lunch packed, and took me to school. When he wasn't home when I go home from school (because of work) he made sure that he spent time with me when he did get home. He helped me with homework, and did things with me, like go skating, or to the park. He wasn't one of those parents that sat there and watched me play, he actually skated, and played on the jungle gym with me. My dad was my best friend when I was younger, he still is my best friend to this day. I know that no matter what kind of situation I get in, he will be there to listen and give me advice.
My sister Jenna, also made a huge impact on me when I was younger. She never gave up on anything. I wanted to be just like her. She is seven years older than me. But when her and her friends would go to the mall, or where ever, she always took me. I was never to young to go. As I got older, she was the one I talked to about anything that I was going through. Whether it was school related, friends, life in general. She is a wonderful person.
My Aunt Barb was wonderful, she passed away from cancer when I was about seven. But on the weekends, she came to our house, to spend time with her nieces, we used to bake Christmas cookies every year, many times they wouldn't turn out right, but it was always fun to try.
My fourth grade teacher, is one of the reasons why I chose to go into the education field. She made learning so fun. She was creative about it. This is when I started to actually love reading. We sang songs to remember the states, the capitals, the presidents and also the vice presidents. We always did something (if it were a play, or had a lunch or whatever) for any of the holidays, to show why that was an important day. She never gave up on her students.
Children will always remember how much time an adult puts into them, and it does matter. The little things in life are sometimes the most important. Just spending time with a child and showing them they are important is what matters in the long run.
Chelsea, I am so sorry to hear about your aunt's passing. I am sure it impacted you deeply. I never did deal with death of a close loved one as a child. It is good to know you had such a good support system.
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