I was asked as part of an assignment for my communications class to write about the 5 people in my life who helped to shape me in one big way or another, and now I’m sharing them with the world. I had a very hard time picking just 5 because there were alway 6 that came to mind, therefore, I picked one to be a bonus! I hope you enjoy!
Joani Stock (my mother)
My mother has been the person closest to me throughout my whole life. She has always been a woman who appeared in control even as the world was breaking down around her. She’s adaptive, kind, and quick on her feet so she’s an asset in any situation. One the flip side however, I have watched people (her boss and my stepdad) walk all over her her whole life, and rather than thinking of herself she took the easy road, avoiding the situation.
She has taught me a great deal about the strong woman I want to be, as well as the things I don’t want to give up to keep peace. By her getting walked on I learned to stand up for myself because I didn’t want that same feeling, but due to her adaptive and kind nature I’ve learned to do it with kindness, and bounce back when the going gets tough.
Linda Ait (my nanny)
Linda was more than a nanny to me, she was a second mother. Raised in the south, she had tough skin, a regal sense of style, and made judgments based on profiling and first impressions (no one’s perfect). She’s close with her family and is fiercely protective of her children. She spoils those who deserve it, and even those who didn’t.
She taught me more life lessons than I could explain in words, and continued to touch so many other children’s lives after me until her own life was cut short. She bestowed her knowledge of manners upon me, including when to use them, and when being a lady didn’t so much matter. She taught me it was important to care about how you looked to others, but most importantly about how you felt in your own skin. Shortly after she died I came up with a quote that reminded me of her and that I think about often, “a great woman once told me to never leave the house without lipstick, therefore, I don’t.”
Bruce Cook (my professor)
Bruce is one of the coolest people I know, though I’m not sure most people who meet him at first would describe him that way, and I know he would never claim that title on his own. He’s a passionate teacher and wants nothing more than to help his students succeed in whatever he happens to be teaching. He gives without asking for anything in return and is happy to stand in the background when sharing praise. He’s the definition of humble.
When I graduated from college I ended up staying on for a semester in hopes that the bachelor’s program would be available. During that time I took a couple extra classes to stay full-time, one of which was Web Design 1. Bruce Cook was my professor. The support and knowledge Bruce passed on to me, and continued to pass on after the class was over has made me the professional I am today. Without his praise and push to pursue the web/technology field I would most certainly be in a different place today.
Paul Wichser (my ex)
Paul was the first “grown-up” I ever dated (those of you who know him might be laughing at that statement). He had a young son whom he loved and spent as much time with as possible, as well as a life that kept him busy. He was surprisingly grounded for as glamorous as his life was. Above all, he was the best communicator and risk-taker I have ever met in my life.
He and I were in an “open” relationship which taught me more than any high priced therapist could have ever taught me about communicating with a partner. He taught me how to TALK through everything, not just argue or have an opinion but keep it under wraps. He taught me how to ask the right questions to get to the root of a problem, and he taught me how to answer the hard questions.
He also taught me to take risks when it came to life, and to not take myself so seriously. I had been a drifting 23-year-old, trying to be a 35-year-old, for far too long. He taught me that doing silly things and taking risks didn’t have to mean I was being immature.
Meghan Wilker (my boss)
Meghan Wilker is Wonder Woman. She is the best at literally everything she does, and she always seems to have time to do everything. She’s organized, smart, savvy, and one of the best business leaders I have ever met. When I first came across her online I knew I wanted to work with her and learn from her, and with enough stalking it finally came true.
She has taught me so much about dealing with people and business communication. Less than a year ago I was pretty much drowning in my career, and I didn’t know where to go. One day I had the idea of what I wanted to do, so she and I talked about it. She gave me all the support and guidance she could, and today I feel more empowered and fulfilled by my work than I ever have at any other job. She has the ability to empower people like you wouldn’t believe.
Bonus: Chris Zaleski (my soulmate)
Chris has taught me so much about what love really is, and what it means to be in love. He continues to surprise me everyday with a new explanation of what it means to love. It’s not what you see in movies, and it’s (most of the time) not what you feel in high school, or even college.
Before I met Chris I had an idea of what love was. I was even pretty sure I’d felt it, and given it out. I’d throw the word around like I was a master of love, but the truth was, until him, I’d never actually loved anyone like people should love their partners. At the risk of sounding very cheesy, I felt he was an important person to add because without the ability to love, or the gift of being loved there isn’t really a point to everything else. Without the ability to love and appreciate things what good would successes be?
