The first person was James Campbell Sr., next is Carrie Campbell, then Diane Campbell, I then will add Ms. Gunn and Mr. Williams.
James Campbell Sr. is my maternal grandfather and he has been the rock in our family since before I knew. Yet as a child he was the male figure that was protecting and loving and he too was a life long learner and voice of reason and rational. He showed me so much about family and what it means to be a caregiver and a provider in the family. He would always tell me, "I knew you could do it, you needed was a chance." This saying stays with me to this day and I often tell my children the same thing, especially if they are feeling discouraged. He nurtured everything I did and wanted to do. He would take me every Saturday morning to piano lessons and if I were in a program for school he would be right there.
My grandfather supported everything good I did, and when I was often bad he was there to keep the wrath of my mother from killing me! :-) He was my HERO!!! The older I got the closer my grandfather and I became, he saw the birth of both of my daughters and although he was very ill and unable to walk me down the aisle, was still here to see me get married. It has been five long years since the day of his passing but the impact that he left on my heart and deep in my soul daily lives on.
My grandmother has definitely influenced my life by the unconditional love that she has shown. She has taught me how to be an attentive mother and a nurturer. I value every thing that she has shared with me and will always remember this.
Another person was my aunt Diane, my mother's older sister. My aunt was always there for me when I looked for my mom at night as a little girl, my aunt would come in to the room and console me. She was one of my very first babysitters. My aunt is a very quiet woman, reserved and very much a professional woman. She has influenced me by being my support as a child, nurturing my education with books and exposing me to a range of musical genres. She has been and still is a peaceful spirit and she shows such dignity, even when she has every right to go completely volcano on others. she really holds her own and she has shown me how to hold mine.
Next, there was Ms. Gunn was my kindergarten teacher and she was such a positive and nice teacher. I always remember that I wanted to teach and wants to be like Ms. Gunn. She was nurturing, kind, and always gave positive energy in the class. At no point do I ever remember yelling or getting angry with any of the children in the class. I went to a Christian private school and at the time we were in school, paddling was allowed and Ms. Gunn was not a disciplinary. Now in my teaching career I continue to strive to be the type of teacher Ms. Gunn was.
Last but not least was Mr. Williams. He was our bus driver, deacon, custodian and disciplinarian. Mr. Williams a good man, funny and stern with love. He showed us love, but taught us respect and character. He was a man that took pride in the school where we learned and the church where we worshipped and where he was a deacon. This type of instruction showed me how to take ownership and pride in the community I serve and those families of the community where I serve. He also showed me how to be fair with everyone and respect all people, because we are all God's.
