My Aunt Jenny posted this quote on her Facebook account and it has already been one of my favorites as it was how Mother raised me.

This is one thing (of many) I shall always be grateful for Mother: teaching, stressing, and encouraging me to not see the need nor desire to be, and especially, think like everyone else. She praised and cheered her nerdy little boy whose head was in music and history.

When a letter from Uncle Garry Jolliff (Aunt Jenny’s husband) would arrive, the huge World Book Encyclopedia Atlas was pulled off the bottom shelf and she would have me find Vietnam. If he should mention a location of R&R, the magnifying glass was lifted to search for the city or area; some of his areas were too remote to make the atlas cut.

Most of my friends had no clue where Vietnam and Cambodia were, let alone why we were (or shouldn’t have been) there, and the Gulf of Tonkin, etc.. Honestly, I do not believe I ever felt bothered by this isolation. Mother and the other adults in my life corralled around me with encouragement.

Mother was aware I was different in my thinking and interests and I am so glad she never threw any cold water on those interests or differences. I am glad I got to thank her, many times, for raising me how she felt I should be raised and not by convention and Dr. Spock.

And, what is more, she supported how I raised each of my sons on a very similar track based on their individual and unique needs.

Be yourself.

Be an individual.

Be curious (this was the biggy!) and search for the information and possible answers.

Find those untraveled paths and tramp down the grass in case others are also looking for a new avenue.

Make it a great day whether you are part of the flock, the lead bird in the chevron, or simply flying on your own.