Marlo Thomas Is My Idol

I was a child of the 80's. A product of divorce. I lived.

I grew up reading books far beyond my age and was reading long before anyone else at my age at the time. I don't know or care how this happened but know I was read to as a baby. My first kiss was an older boy who once escorted me from kindergarten to first grade for reading and he was in my combo class the next year when I got transferred to another school for being tested into GATE...Gifted And Talented Education.

I love Shel Silverstine books. I remember all of them. I am an avid reader and nerd. I am so happy that post high school it doesn't matter what your peers thought of you. I now know why there were so many jealous parents that themselves questioned me or had their children do it. The only difference between me and my peers was that I had a nanny (of American decent after the English girl quit). My nanny took me to the library. I read and read...I read the dictionary and entire set of encyclopedias as a kid. Most of the info stuck as I was blessed with a photographic memory. My parents told her where to take me and my brother daily. I mastered the art of claw games at the arcade and had ice cream sundaes often enough to have the entire baseball cap collection.

I am an odd bird.

My father gave me a copy of "Free To Be A Family". I am pretty certain I still have it in a box in storage somewhere. I refused to ever let go of it. Books and music molded me and still do so much more than technology and opinions do. I was raised with respect of the arts and love them more than anything.

I still see Marlo Thomas on commercials dedicated to saving children with cancer. I remember this as a child, being told to either give my time or money. I had time and did. I still give time and it's the best thing to give at this point to any cause.

I won the lottery of opportunity for being given the tools to be kind and enjoy life. I want a fainting couch, but before I need to use it I think I need to give back more, even though my bank account is empty; share what I can and smile. It's really that easy sometimes.