Most of us can name people who have made a real difference in our lives, either directly or through their example.

It could have been a teacher who believed in you when no one else did, the church member who always had a piece of candy to share, or a neighbor who encouraged you to do your best.

Besides immediate family, I was blessed as a child to have a “village” of folks who helped me along the way, including friends, teachers, several of my mom’s sorority sisters and a second cousin old enough to be my grandmother who cheered every step I took.

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