Every Thursday, we pick out one of the cool things from the my mom, she always told me I could do anything and when I held back she pushed me 
Comment by Noreen on 5/15/2008 @ 1:39 am
My biggest influence on me as a kid was my music teacher. She is the women who made me who I am now. As a kid with a learning disability, singing was the one thing that kept me going in a adolescent world where I felt often stupid and left behind. Other than coaching me privately after school, this amazing women also had me going auditions for local musical productions, being there for me when I simply needed to cry, and she always-always-always made me feel that I was worth something to this world.
On one particular day that was downright hard, she had given me a rubber band to wear around my wrist. Every time I thought something negative, the band was be pulled back and snapped against my wrist. Ow ow ow ow ow! It seemed malicious at the time. Needless to say, that didn’t last long but the rubber band soon found a place close to my heart wound around a heart shaped pendant I wore around my neck. On the day I was to perform in the school talent show, I made sure that my rubber banded necklace was securely on. It was a good luck charm, with it I could archive anything! I had only placed but I was proud of my myself, giving credit to my “magic rubber band”. But when I went to show it off to everyone, I saw that it had broken off and was long gone. In the end, my teacher had said that I had no need for the band in the first place. I went up on the stage and was confident all on my own.
I kept in close contact with her until high school where she remained a steadfast person in my life. I consider my fairy godmother who let me realize that I needed no magic to make good things happen. Just hope, doing your best, and having a positive outlook.
Comment by Kristine on 5/15/2008 @ 4:41 am
My biggest encourager would be my big sister. I’ve always looked up to her and she was always kind to me. I learned a lot from her.
Comment by bunny on 5/15/2008 @ 5:04 am
Definitely my mom. She was so supportive in many ways. Encouraging gently when I needed a gentle push. Or with a firmer hand if I was being stubborn.
One example is when I was taking swimming lessons as a young kid. My instructor was having us jump off the diving board while she waited in the water below to help us. I stood on the edge of that diving board looking at what seemed like a long way down and was very scared to jump off. My mom was watching at the other end of the pool and got up and started walking toward our end threatening to throw me off herself. I was more scared of her than the distance to the water so I jumped in.
But probably what I’m most thankful for is her encouragement when I expressed a desire to go to grad school in Boston (I grew up in Texas and had gone to undegrad in state.) I had mentioned in an off-hand way that I would like to go not really thinking I would do it but she encouraged me to visit and look at some schools. If she hadn’t done that, I would never have had the courage to move to a completely new place that was far from home and where I didn’t know anyone. As a result, I had some of the best times of my life on a great adventure. And for that, I am eternally grateful to her.
Comment by Becky Mochaface on 5/15/2008 @ 8:41 am
What a fantastic idea. I love the packaging and the whole concept of watching your dreams grow. I have a great-niece and great-nephew that would really enjoy these “magic beans!” My paternal grandpa was my biggest fan. When I was born, so I have been told, he wanted to buy the dress that I would be brought home in. I think he won out! He and my uncle lived next door, so I spent the better of my toddler years with them. I could do no wrong in either of their eyes. To this day, I am more comfortable talking with a group of men more than women!
Thanks,Cindi
Comment by Cindi on 5/15/2008 @ 9:07 am
My Dad was my biggest source of encouragement. He came from a family of twelve children and grew up as a migrant worker. Most of his siblings have very little formal education, yet he was determined to accomplish more and put himself through college. Through his example and encouragement I learned that anything is possible.
Comment by Marsha Jones on 5/15/2008 @ 11:25 am
hmm…one was my life science teacher - he was Doogrepus! 
Comment by The Pear Lady on 5/15/2008 @ 1:53 pm
My dad, he always helped me choose the right career path. He stood in as an extra in my astronaut story, my doctor story, my pilot story, everything. He was always role-playing with me and encouraging me to be whatever I wanted. We used to have so much fun!
Comment by Jillian on 5/15/2008 @ 6:10 pm
It’s a tie — my mom and my nana. They both always encouraged me to go after my dreams — go to whatever school I wanted, pick whatever career I wanted. I never, ever felt pressured.
Comment by Kaitlin M on 5/15/2008 @ 8:46 pm
Hmm, my mom and dad both but my dad was more subtle and my mom never missed a game, or show we were in. These are the COOLEST things, I’d love to have some for my garden. Or give them to my dad for father’s day for HIS garden.
Comment by Kari Follett on 5/16/2008 @ 3:35 am
I’d have to say Mom always encouraged me and still does.
Comment by Kat Bryan on 5/16/2008 @ 11:51 pm
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