People Who Shaped Me

Who is someone who shaped you?

Mr. Okafor, our neighbor when I was about eleven. Not a big part of my life really. Kind of gruff.

What is one moment with this person that you still remember?

My bike chain came off outside his house and I was trying not to cry. He came out and didn't fix it for me.

What did they do, say, or show you in that moment?

He handed me a rag and said "Your hands will wash." Then he just stood there and told me what to do, one step at a time, until I got it back on myself.

What changed in you because of that experience?

Not sure exactly. I think I stopped being so scared of getting things wrong in front of people. Or of getting dirty, ha.

Where can you still see their influence today?

When my kid gets stuck I want to jump in. Sometimes I remember the rag and just stand there and talk her through it instead. Not always.