When I was 12 years old, my mother married and we moved from Bethlehem, Pa., to Philadelphia, Pa. Talk about cultural shock! A "city" I could walk around and knew almost everybody and they knew me. But here I was in strange territory, I knew no one and such strange customs.

A few years later we moved into the country to an apartment on a farm. I then went to 7th and 8th grade in a one room school house. The teacher I had there really helped me overcome my fear of math! Of course the kids called me the city girl. Most of my classmates were Mennonites, ok by me. They were kids to me.

When I graduated from there I went to a 3 room high school for my Freshman and beginning of my Sophomore year. There the principal and one of the teachers helped me with Algebra and Latin. I had to take the finals twice since I wasn't good at either and they found a Tutor for me and I passed with a C.

Then we moved to Doylestown where I had departmental. That was one big school. And this is where that special someone came into my life. I was 15 and confused and dissatisfied with my life and she took me by the heart and helped me through it all. I could talk to this lady and know I could be more honest with her than with my class advisor.

One day she asked me how many free periods I had and I told her 2. That's when she offered me a job of working in then nurses office for 1 period. I can't say what she has meant to me over the years and how she influenced me. That's why I went on to become a nurse.

We kept in touch and visited all these years. It's because of her that I am what I am today. All people who touch our lives, are great. We can borrow the good from them and that, not our families influence us completely.

Today she is 97 years young and when I call her monthly, she remembers me and my boys and husband. She never complains although I know she is in constant pain. Now that to me is a role model. I hope I am a tad like her.