My Role Model

This post is part of Think Kit by SmallBox.
January 11, 2016 prompt:  "Role Models:  Life is so much easier when you have someone to help you navigate.  What makes a mentor great? Have you ever had a mentor! Been someone else's?"

My Role Model

Mama is my hero and role model. As a child during The Depression she was  pulled out of school to pick cotton. She eventually went to college years later as an adult.

She taught me to read and instilled in me a love of books. She taught me right from wrong. She took me to Church and Sunday School. She taught me to stand up for myself and say what I believe. She taught me to play fair, but win graciously. I even though I trash talk, I give compliments and props when I am bested.

She taught me to pull pranks, tease those I like, and gamble. We played Gin and plain Rummy for the household chores.

She was a Military Wife making Daddy's less than poverty pay check feed, clothe, and house our family of four. She frequently held at least one job to contribute to the budget. She sewed our clothes and shopped sales and thrift stores to stretch the money.

She received honours and awards from Head Quarters when she worked for the Army Air Force Exchange Service. And when she was involved in an accident she had enough sick leave to retain her salary during a lengthy recuperation.

After she and Daddy divorced, she learned basic car repairs and maintance. When she bought her own home, she didn't have left over money for upgrades, so she put in her own ceiling fan. When she moved to the country and the County said she had to have deep drainage ditches and they "couldn't get to it" within the time allotted, she dug them herself. By hand.

When her dog Rip brought her a couple of half dead baby squirrels, she raised them by hand even though she hates squirrels. When Rip needed hip surgery, she got a part-time job to supplement her Pow Wow money. She was in her 70s.

When my Sister Robin or I have had occasion to return to her home, she's welcomed us and our families and animals with open arms. When my Robin and her Son Allen were going through family growing pains she allowed him to live with her. When Allen and my Neice Stephanie and their respective families needed babysitters for the GreatGrands--Mama was there for them. She continues to watch the GreatGrands even today, at 80 years of age.

She is why I am who I am. She is my role model and my hero. She is the reason I have a tender heart for people and animals. She is why my work ethic is so strong. She is why I believe in the power of knowledge--common sense, street smarts, and book learnin'.

Tall, dark of hair and eye, thin, and beautiful, Mama was the original Wonder Woman.