@gingerw, when I was working, Temple Grand in came to Birmingham, Alabama to speak at a conference. Some of my coworkers were able to attend that conference, and returned to school with lively, humerous, heartwarming tales of how human and approachable she is.

I love that about the rich and famous. There are those who are well known in this world for the amazing things they have done in the past. Or are doing in the present. I have had the pleasure of knowing only a very small handful of these people personally.
Unfortunately, for the most part, we lost touch through the years as we got caught up with work, ailing parents, and raising children. And for my part, not realizing the source of most of my angst was not knowing I was Autistic.

I spent many years wondering why I could not keep the connections I had made in my life. I blamed myself, for the most part. But others got their share of the blame, too. I'm not gonna lie.

Where was I going with this? Oh, yes....the mentors and others in our lives, the ones who left, and the ones who remain. Whether they are famous, or not, they will most likely all have a sweet place in our hearts. Sometimes we can send little notes, letters, cards, messages, to let them know we are still here. But you know what this old gal has learned? The phone rings both ways.

Sometimes our mentors reveal all too clearly that they have feet of clay. They fall off the pedestal we put them on, and behave like the complicated, often foolish humans that populate much of our world.

When that happens, and it will, we can do one of two things as I look at it just now. We can rant and rave, curse them out, ruin their name with all kinds of slander.

Or we can extend to them grace. I prefer the path of grace. Oh, and PS....I am not talking about Mayo Mentors! Let me share that disclaimer, lest there be any doubt! Ha!

Here's to you the hope of a lovely day, my dears, no matter what your circumstances. We are indeed, better together. I look forward to hearing from all of you soon.