I was checking out at my favorite store this morning (Costco :)) and caught a glimpse of this wonderful lady. She is Mary Ellen Edmunds, author, speaker, and person extraordinnaire. She taught at the MTC while I was there preparing for my mission and I grew to love her humility, humor, and down-to-earth attitude about life and trials. I debated for about a millisecond whether or not I was going to say anything... after all, I don't know her personally, but I sure feel like I do.
I approached her and she got a big huge smile on her face.
I said, "I'm sure you get this all the time... but you're Mary Ellen Edmunds, right?"
She kept smiling (that was encouraging) and nodded. I blurted out, "I love you!" and she gave me a big hug.
I told her how she was a teacher at the MTC when I was there and she indulged me by asking when I was there, where I had served and we shared a few more comments about the wonderfulness of the MTC. She was just as gracious and kind as I have gathered from hearing her speak and from reading her books.
In the following moments, I thought a bit about real people (not celebrities, superstars, or characters in books or movies) that are my heroes. There are so many. When my granddad passed away I got to meet another one... Anne Osborn Poelman... who authored a few books that I love and was a family friend. I approached her too to tell her that I loved her.
I am sure both Mary Ellen and Anne (we should be on a first name basis, right?) thought I was a little bit nuts for my enthusiasm.... but these are two women who have helped shape me. I couldn't pass up on the opportunity to tell them so.
**Who are your real life heroes?
**If you saw one of them in a public place would you approach them?
Friday, August 27, 2010
Real Life Heroes
Posted by Lisa R.D. at 11:10 AM
Labels: heroes, strong women
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6 comments:
Lisa, good for you for speaking with her, and good for her for responding positively!
It's a nice reminder that any one of us may be inspiring anybody else at any time.
Man, you really can find ANYTHING at Costco!
Fear not, Lisa. I've seen her there a couple of times and have stopped her to give her a hug and tell her I love her, too. I've told her I'm so glad she shops there so I can see her! She won't think you're that weird if I'm doing it too. She's fantastic!
How exciting! Interestingly enough, Anne Osborn Poelman spoke at the MTC when *I* was there.
I have no filter so I would definitely approach a lot of people if I saw them, no problem. Good for you!
Really? That is awesome. I do remember how much I loved her humorous talks in the MTC and I am glad that I got to be there to share them with you. You are an awesome person. So (clearing throat) which Costco is it that she frequents because maybe I can run into her too. :)
What a wonderful post! And now I am so excited! She is coming to New England to speak at Time Out for Women in three weeks and I am signed up to go. My tickets just came yesterday. Wahoo--even more excited then I was before!
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