Maggie is our hostess this week for the Throwback Thursday memories.
Find out more here
Usually I write my responses off the cuff but today I shall use Maggie’s questions as a guide.
- Who were the people you looked up to as a child? Were they family or someone outside your family?
- At what age did you feel aspirations for your life? Who inspired you?
- Did you have a role model who was in the public eye, such as an actor or a politician?
- What draws you to people that inspire you?
- Have you lost someone you considered a mentor? How did that loss affect you?
- Has a role model ever disappointed you or let you down?
- Have you ever found yourself in the role of a mentor for someone else?
- At this stage of your life, what caliber of people inspire you to greatness?
I was brought up to respect my elders, so that would include my grandparents, great grandparents, uncles and aunts. I can remember visiting them but not them being mentors as such.
Teachers were always treated with respect, and when I was a young child, I was encouraged in subjects I was good at (music, English and maths) and not ridiculed for those I wasn’t. Grammar school changed all that and although I still respected my teachers, most had no time for me as a pupil, let alone an individual.
In my working life, my ‘first boss’ was actually my Mum’s and I helped out in the packing side of things in the school holidays. He was a good man and thought a lot of my Mum.
Most of the bosses I worked for were OK, and one stood by me when I had my breakdown in the late 1980s. I am forever grateful to her for that.
I can’t say I had a famous role model or that one has disappointed or let me down.
I see people as human with their flaws, and even the most popular can fall from grace.
People who inspire me are mostly those here in WordPress with their challenges, but as for inspiration to greatness? I’ll take a back seat on that.
However, there is one person who was my inspiration, role model and mentor who taught me a lot, loved me for who I was, and was there for me when I needed them. My Dad. He understood me better than anyone and I miss him terribly. If you read this post, you will understand.
I am lucky in that I have Hubby in my life who understands me almost as well as my Dad did, loves me unconditionally and is always there for me. He is my everything.
pensitivity101 
Di, thank you as always for responding to the post this week. It is such a shame when teachers either do not have the time or the inclination to try to inspire their students. I had some great teachers but none I thought of as mentors. It is also amazing that you had a boss that stood by you in difficult times. That does not always happen. I can remember a time in my life when the only time I didn’t cry was when I was at work – my life was a mess. I understand about having a father that you miss so much. When my dad passed, it left a tremendous hole in my life.
Thank you Maggie. Most of the Grammar School teachers did me no favours, but it was just the way it was as there were too many comparisons to my sister.
My Dad died the day after my 40th birthday and I’d taken my cake into the ICU to share with the staff. It was not an unhappy day, just different. I felt privileged to be holding his hand when he died and to be there for my Mum who was holding the other when he left us. Hard to believe it’s 26 years this year.
I understand the comparisons – I was the youngest of four. It is such a shame when that happens. I was not with either of my parents when they passed and while I know that had to be hard, I wish I could have been there with them.
I was almost 300 miles away when Mum died. I’m glad that my last letter had reached her and one of the nurses had read it to her.
Finding a role model in your parents is a wonderful thing.
I was lucky to have them as mine.
You were indeed.
It’s wonderful that your dad was such a good role model and mentor. It is also great they you have your hubby as your great support.
I am truly blessed on both counts.