She was a dedicated leader of the writers in our western NC area, encouraging, motivating, and inspiring. She taught special education for children in elementary school. She adopted an orphan Vietnamese boy and raised him with her two biological sons. She adored him and he felt the same about her.
Recently, I have begun to learn about emotional intelligence. Nancy was smart, funny, and above all caring. She felt empathy and compassion for others, and she expressed her feelings in her poetry.
Goleman's EQ theory comprises five core components: empathy, effective communication or social skills, self-awareness, self-regulation, and motivation.
Nancy exhibited all of these in her daily life. I didn't know at the time that I had a high EQ myself. Perhaps that is what she saw in me because she immediately selected me for a leadership position with NCWN-West. She asked me to take the publicity coordinator's job. I had done publicity for our genealogy group in south Georgia where I lived before moving to the mountains. It is my nature to do the best job possible when I take on a task.
It was perfect for me. I interviewed the writers who were going to do readings and wrote articles about them for the local newspapers. I had them send a photograph to go with the articles. The local newspaper liked them and always published them. In the past, the announcements of writing events were typed and mailed through the USPS to the county papers. But I used the computer which was beginning to be popular. I had worked in an office for five years and I knew something about the Internet.
Nancy was so good to me that I would do anything she needed me to do. When she asked me to become the Clay County Representative I accepted the job and enjoyed it. She and I grew close as we worked together over the years and I took all of the classes she taught at the local community college. Without Nancy, I would never have published my poetry chapbook. She read it, helped me organize it, and even chose the title for it. Now Might as Well be Then. That was a line in a poem in the book.
I am a product of the teachers in my life. Nancy was one of them. I had an art teacher, Verna, in Albany, GA, who taught me to paint in oils. She also became a wonderful friend. I could lose myself for an entire afternoon as I painted on canvas following her classes. She helped my self-confidence and made me realize I had talent.
My older sister and my younger sister have been teachers in my life. June, the oldest, taught me when I was a child, by example. I admired how she always looked her best, behaved like a lady, gentile and well-spoken. I wanted to be like her and will always remember her kindness and generosity to me. Her words of encouragement and approval got me through college years and boyfriend breakups. She, like my mother, enjoyed people. She was friendly and had a beautiful smile for everyone.
It was perfect for me. I interviewed the writers who were going to do readings and wrote articles about them for the local newspapers. I had them send a photograph to go with the articles. The local newspaper liked them and always published them. In the past, the announcements of writing events were typed and mailed through the USPS to the county papers. But I used the computer which was beginning to be popular. I had worked in an office for five years and I knew something about the Internet.
Nancy was so good to me that I would do anything she needed me to do. When she asked me to become the Clay County Representative I accepted the job and enjoyed it. She and I grew close as we worked together over the years and I took all of the classes she taught at the local community college. Without Nancy, I would never have published my poetry chapbook. She read it, helped me organize it, and even chose the title for it. Now Might as Well be Then. That was a line in a poem in the book.
I am a product of the teachers in my life. Nancy was one of them. I had an art teacher, Verna, in Albany, GA, who taught me to paint in oils. She also became a wonderful friend. I could lose myself for an entire afternoon as I painted on canvas following her classes. She helped my self-confidence and made me realize I had talent.
My older sister and my younger sister have been teachers in my life. June, the oldest, taught me when I was a child, by example. I admired how she always looked her best, behaved like a lady, gentile and well-spoken. I wanted to be like her and will always remember her kindness and generosity to me. Her words of encouragement and approval got me through college years and boyfriend breakups. She, like my mother, enjoyed people. She was friendly and had a beautiful smile for everyone.
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| Gay, June, Lee, her daughter, and me |
My younger sister, Gay, is still teaching me. Because of her, I see that it is never too late to follow your dreams. She will be taking part in a ballroom competition this week. She has always loved to dance and decided a couple of years ago to take ballroom dancing simply because she wanted to dance again with excellent partners. Now she dresses up in beautiful gowns, wears dancing shoes with heels, and enters competitions with others in her age category. Not too many in her category, but it matters not. She dances as well as many who are younger. She is a great role model. This is just one of her many attributes I admire.
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| My sister, Gay, Dancing |
I have been blessed with wonderful teachers and you probably have individuals in your life who helped make you who you are. Tell me about them in the comments.
