People in our lives who made a difference

LAURI LEMKE THOMPSON

When I was 28, a friend named Cindy and I met weekly for lunch in downtown Milwaukee where we both worked. One day I told her how upset I was that our young cat, Misty, had broken the cow in our Nativity set. The next time we met, Cindy brought me a little cow. “Wow,” I remember thinking. “How thoughtful!”

Getting ready to celebrate yet another birthday, I’ve been thinking all the way back to my childhood and young adulthood. Why? Because I wanted to recall some of the people who have favorably impacted me.

Linda was my sweet friend from preschool until she moved away when I was ten – someone who I knew would always play with me at recess. At 11, I went to a weeklong summer camp and Sandy, my freckled blonde counselor, showed remarkable, joyful interest in each of us homesick girls.

Grandma and Aunt Janet made time for me, giving me the attention I craved. Mom and Dad were so busy and my older siblings had little use for me; how kind of God to provide those two loving women.

At 13, a couple of gals who had been my friends dumped me. Fortunately, Carolyn stepped in to be my comrade throughout high school – vulnerable years when one really needs a comrade.

Teachers? Mr. Dobberfuhl taught high school English. He showed a love for the English language and for literature – and oh, how he wanted us to love them too. Once, he assigned us an essay on “Three Times Happy, Three Times Sad.” I wondered what he learned about his students from those essays. It caused me to dig deep and share things I had never shared before.

Another English teacher, Mr. Gardner, wrote a letter to my parents, telling them that they should encourage me to study journalism – which I did! He didn’t have to bother writing that letter, but I’m grateful he did.

In college, my Art Appreciation instructor taught with such fervor that I could not help but share his enthusiasm for how artists approached their subjects, combined colors and expressed themselves. He opened my mind to seek to understand a variety of creative work.

And my journalism professor, Mr. Polk, displayed unconventional teaching methods and sincere concern for each and every student’s progress. He left a positive mark. I did not believe in myself, but he did and found many ways to encourage me.

Also at college I met Donalyn and Linda who helped me understand the Christian faith and develop a much closer walk with God than I had before. They exhibited God’s love toward me, a shy and socially awkward student with a tendency toward depression. Their mentorship led me into an exciting joyous relationship with Jesus – something I might have otherwise missed.

Fast-forwarding into adulthood, how many influential people appeared? Way too many to mention (for which I’m sure you’re grateful!) There’s Mary, who started a unique ministry for women who worked outside the home. She pulled me in to help her, but also pulled me into a long-lasting friendship.

Ginny urged me to try volunteering at Cox Hospital just once. I did, loved it and stayed six years. Noni, on the plan team of Christian Women’s Connection, who asked me three times to attend a planning meeting. I told her I was too busy.

“Can’t you give us just a little of your time?” she asked. I succumbed, and am still serving twelve years later, finding great fulfillment and amazing relationships.

The retired missionary, Pat – so wise and caring, who could be blunt at times. She fertilized my faith and told me not to “sit on my gifts.” Jeanetta, who started a beneficial writers’ group, once told me “Hard is not impossible” – something I have applied to many life challenges.

Renee showed a generous spirit and then proved to be a true-blue friend through the biggest storm of my life. A very special person named Tim (my late husband) prompted me to take risks, to grow both as a person and spiritually, and to develop an attitude of gratitude. Oh and, by the way, don’t forget to smile, laugh and embrace fun.

I would like to suggest that you spend a little time thinking back on the wonderful people who showed up in your life – the kind of people who contributed to make you the person you are today. Then ask yourself, what qualities did they demonstrate?

In my case, I can identify reliability, unconditional love, encouragement, thoughtfulness, inspiration and much more. The next question I am asking myself – and urge you to ask yourself too: What can I do to develop those qualities in my own life and thus influence others? And what a difference might that make in their lives because I took the time to care?

A line from the movie “Game Changer” stuck with me: “Become the person you needed.” In one way or the other, I believe I needed all those people I mentioned in this article. Now I’d like to become Cindy, Donalyn, Mr. Gardner and Pat to others.

Perhaps you’d like to become the influential people in your past. I urge you to do that, and show it by your actions. Perhaps you’ll go out and buy someone a cow.