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Congratulations to
Brian
from
Warrenton, MO,
the
Grand Prize Winner!
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My mother instilled in me and my sisters a real sense of respect for home and community. She also gave us the opportunity to explore and try new things. She moved quite a bit as a child, and her stories of living in different places, along with our yearly family vacation, gave my sisters and I a desire to see more of the world. When I graduated from college, I decided to move overseas to teach in an international school. My mother was very supportive of the decision; she wanted me to travel and see things, AND she had just gone back to college to get her degree and start teaching herself. When I was getting ready to go, sorting through things to take, my mother imparted her wisdom about traveling..."Take half the clothes; Take twice the money; and leave places better than you found them." My mother's words have run true for every trip I've taken and place I've been. I've never been sorry that I packed light. I've never been sorry to have a little extra pocket money. And I've always tried to leave things a little better; whether that means actually cleaning up, or trying to bring cheer to those around me. The more that I have followed these words, the more I know my mother not only said them, she LIVED them. She has left every place she's ever been brighter, and sometimes cleaner, than before she arrived. And that's advice to live by! |
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