Mr. Rogers Mondays

"When my mother or my grandmother tried to keep me from climbing too high, my grandfather would say, 'Let the kid walk on the wall. He's got to learn to do things for himself.' I loved my grandfather for trusting me so much. His name was Fred McFeely. No wonder I included a lively, elderly delivery man in our television 'neighborhood' whom we named 'Mr. McFeely.'" --Fred Rogers

Who has had that kind of influence in your life? Who made you feel confident, grown-up and special?

I think of the snacks my grandmother made me in the travel trailer she lived in when she visited our house.

I think of a shopping trip when my grandfather let me help pick out my grandmother's gift.

I remember running barefoot in my other grandparents' garden.

I remember teachers like Mrs. Warren , Mrs. Alder and Mrs. Shaw.

I credit Sunday school teachers like Mrs. Honeycutt and Bible study leaders like Joseph Sasser.

Most of all I am thankful for parents who loved me unconditionally from the hairs on my head to the tips of my pink toenails.

Who's on your list?

Today I'm also thinking about my desire to make other's list. How do I encourage and empower the people around me?