Who touched your life?

JustJo · 12-05-2010, 10:01 PM

I'm having a serious bout of insomnia...and it makes my mind go in odd directions. I found myself running through a list of people in my head...people who have hurt me. It was bringing on some serious depression and negative feelings. So, consciously, I decided to remember those who have touched my life in a positive way.

Honestly, it's a short list....but it got me thinking about someone truly special. Ironically, I don't even remember her name.

I was 10 years old...growing up in an angry, narcissistic and abusive household. I had never felt important or wanted by anyone. If it had been a different time, I probably would have been removed from my family, but I wasn't. Anyway...

I ended up joining 4-H, because my best friend at school was involved. We lived in a tiny apartment and had no money - so raising animals was a challenge. I joined the Food Preservation Project...because it required nothing to start....and I had plenty of that.

The woman who was our group leader was an angel in my life. She welcomed all of us into her home and her garden every week...teaching us to make jam and jelly and pickles, fruit leather and jerky, even cheese and to bake our own bread (officially not in the program, but she couldn't resist). I don't remember her name, but I remember what her hugs felt like. She was a truly huge woman....and being folded into her arms was a bit like being kneaded into a giant loaf of bread. Sounds odd maybe...but it was the first time in my life I had ever been truly hugged.

She was also the first adult who ever really listened...and who cared about what I felt, what I thought. She didn't have children of her own, and I'm eternally grateful that she found this way to bring children into her life, and that she was so generous with herself, her time, her affection, and the produce of her garden.

Even now, when I'm stressed, depressed, unhappy, insomniac....or when I'm celebrating, or sharing something of myself...I most often find myself in the kitchen baking the things she taught me to make. And yes, I still make a mean jelly...and a fresh mozzarella to die for.

So....who touched your life?

12-05-2010, 10:01 PM	#1
JustJo Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: pushy broad Preferred Pronoun?: she Relationship Status: Follow your heart; it knows things your mind cannot explain. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Southeast corner Posts: 5,633 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 24,417 Thanked 25,406 Times in 4,660 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	Who touched your life? I'm having a serious bout of insomnia...and it makes my mind go in odd directions. I found myself running through a list of people in my head...people who have hurt me. It was bringing on some serious depression and negative feelings. So, consciously, I decided to remember those who have touched my life in a positive way. Honestly, it's a short list....but it got me thinking about someone truly special. Ironically, I don't even remember her name. I was 10 years old...growing up in an angry, narcissistic and abusive household. I had never felt important or wanted by anyone. If it had been a different time, I probably would have been removed from my family, but I wasn't. Anyway... I ended up joining 4-H, because my best friend at school was involved. We lived in a tiny apartment and had no money - so raising animals was a challenge. I joined the Food Preservation Project...because it required nothing to start....and I had plenty of that. The woman who was our group leader was an angel in my life. She welcomed all of us into her home and her garden every week...teaching us to make jam and jelly and pickles, fruit leather and jerky, even cheese and to bake our own bread (officially not in the program, but she couldn't resist). I don't remember her name, but I remember what her hugs felt like. She was a truly huge woman....and being folded into her arms was a bit like being kneaded into a giant loaf of bread. Sounds odd maybe...but it was the first time in my life I had ever been truly hugged. She was also the first adult who ever really listened...and who cared about what I felt, what I thought. She didn't have children of her own, and I'm eternally grateful that she found this way to bring children into her life, and that she was so generous with herself, her time, her affection, and the produce of her garden. Even now, when I'm stressed, depressed, unhappy, insomniac....or when I'm celebrating, or sharing something of myself...I most often find myself in the kitchen baking the things she taught me to make. And yes, I still make a mean jelly...and a fresh mozzarella to die for. So....who touched your life? __________________ I'm not tall enough to ride emotional roller coasters