Through the years, just knowing a mentor was available if I needed help has given me the guts to try new things.
After I became the mother of two girls, I wanted to do something besides housework all of the time. I used Mom’s treadle machine to make s sun suit for 18-month-old Linda. During freshman home economic class, I’d hated sewing, but without a teacher looking over my shoulder and telling me to rip out a seam and do it over, I felt a sense of accomplishment.
I saw a widower’s newspaper ad offering his wife’s used, electric sewing machine for sale for $25. I asked my knowledgeable cousin, Flo, to go with me to look at it. I bought it and she continued to be a phone call away if I had a question about using it.
My next door neighbor, Mrs. Gaffney, an experienced seamstress and a 4-H leader, said she would help me if I ever needed it. That day soon came. I was making myself a sleeveless dress with a short jacket. My machine sat in the living room and I left my garment on it so I could work when I had a few free moments. I discovered one of our three kids used my scissors to cut into the side of my dress. I was afraid it was ruined. The four of us trooped next door and I showed my neighbor what had happened. She was able to weave a scrap of the multi-blue, coarse material into the slice. I finished the outfit and wore it many times during the years that followed.
When my typewriter became obsolete, our son, Kurt, helped me buy a computer and enter the world of technology. A couple years ago, I found directions on the internet for beginning a blog. With his help to interpret what I was reading; I began lolita-s-bigtoe.com.
Who are some of your mentors?