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Eleanora ’ s southern hospitality kept me fed and nourished during our weekly “ Sunday Dinners ” and got me to eat vegetables with my meals , which I had successfully managed to dodge for 18 years !
practical and easy to maintain , breaking the cultural norm that women should have long hair to their waistline and tie them up in a bun . She was also bold enough to wear pants instead of the traditional sarong as a daily wardrobe , which was culturally taboo .
When I landed in Baton Rouge , Louisiana , four months after my 18th birthday , to attend Louisiana State University , my Southern Belle mom welcomed an Asian teenager into her family without bias , stereotyping , or differentiation . Eleanora ’ s southern hospitality kept me fed and nourished during our weekly “ Sunday Dinners ” and got me to eat vegetables with my meals , which I had successfully managed to dodge for 18 years ! Somehow , I couldn ' t say no ; more precisely , I ran out of excuses , and she won !
Seven months after completing my Spring and Summer semesters , I traveled to Poplar Bluff , Missouri , to meet my Italian foster mom and spend two and a half weeks with her before the start of the Fall semester . Carol embraced me with the same warm , inviting , and loving energy that I have been experiencing in Baton Rouge . She owned and operated two restaurants in the town of 17,000 residents and truly optimized Missouri ' s “ Show Me ” state motto phrase by displaying her hosting expertise during my twoand-a-half-week stay to touch my heart and move my soul !
After college , during my early years of working , my naturally quiet personality and attention to detail caught the eyes of my Progressive and Spiritual mom , Texan Earthly mom , and Sanguine Savannah at the various business networking meetings and events , The genuine one-on-one private conversations with Elsa Mae , Dee , and Toni , followed later by caring heart-centered private visits to their respective towns and residents eventually led to motherly friendships . Their collective , invaluable , loving guidance in my professional and personal Life is forever rooted in my DNA !
During my leisure time , I met three other women who completed my exposure and education to women ' s empowerment . My Ballroom Instructor mom , Betty , showed me how to use my unique essence of “ positive thinking ” to transform my fear of not being good enough to live in the moment through the magic of performance dancing . The empowering nature of my German mom , Diane , helped me affirm my vision of
“ Until we try to put ourselves beyond our comfort zone , we will not realize we have what it takes to make a difference in someone else ’ s life and , more importantly , in ours .”
6 | Inspirations for Better Living • March 2024