Who comes to mind as a source of inspiration when you think of International Women's Day and the women who have inspired you to become a better woman and have made a difference in your life? I would like to dedicate this post to a very special lady, who made a significant difference in my life, in what proved the be the last year of her life! Suzy Bell Raymond, born August 11, 1933, was an incredible lady, who touched my life in a very meaningful manner when she came into my life. She was born in Mexico and was a volunteer teacher at Lone Star College, Cy-Fair, for English as a Second Language. My Au-Pair Andrea was her student at the college and they forged an unlikely bond and friendship, the benefits of which spilled over in my life and I had the good fortune of getting to befriend Mrs. Raymond in the process.
Before I go any further, I would like to say, I am thankful that Ms. Suzy came into my life at a time when I needed inspiration, when I needed to be reminded that life is beautiful and if there are any hardships, they are temporary and I have the capacity to overcome them with faith, grace and determination. She shared her love of life and wisdom so freely and beautifully, and inspired me to think that I want to be this alive and graceful when I get to 80! She was born in Mexico and came to US as a teenager, she was an incredible mother to four wonderful children and a grandmother and friend to all her grand kids. She was a teacher to thousands of students, and she taught them so much more than English!
So on this occasion, I would like to summarize some of my lessons learned from my interaction with Ms. Suzy:
- Celebrate life, be joyful, spread cheer and sunshine wherever you go.
- Always be thankful for all the blessings in life.
- Family is not only blood, the best of relationships are the relations of the heart.
- Live every day, and make it count, do not wish it away.
- Know who you are, and believe in what you can become.
- Always make your children your priority, they are the source of your greatest joy.
- Share your love with those around you, and you will always be surrounded by love.
- Being open and generous in spirit opens the gates of abundance for you.
- Be present in the moment, take the time to live, not just pass through life.
- Always tell those you love that you do, and show you care......
And when I visited her just days before she passed away, she was going through treatment for brain cancer, having fought her way against all odds to be home to celebrate her 80th birthday with her family and friends. She told me how much she enjoyed the times we had spent together and thanked me for stopping by, not once mentioning how miserable she felt going through all the ups and downs of life. She was an inspiration, a beacon of light, and a great role model, I hope I grow up to be like you, miss Suzy!
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