Judy Blume and her words for children and adults

Judy Blume, noted children's author, has always been way ahead of her time.  My daughter, Sara, loved her books and she and the Erlbacher girls all read them until they were in shreds.  But recently, I read one of her quotes which hit me in the gut:  "Each of us must confront our own fears, must come face to face with them.  How we handle our fears will determine where we will go with the rest of our lives, to experience adventure or to be limited by the fear of it."

I grew up in a big family with parents who cautioned us with every fear in the world --don't get into the pool until you know how to swim,  driving is dangerous especially after I had been in a wreck, don't play sports -- you will get hurt, stay in the church house with church people, that is the safe place to be.  And while I could blame them for the fact that I did not learn to drive until I was way past grown and that I did not venture out to some places or pools, I turn the other cheek and realize that they encouraged me to face the fears I wanted to face.  I sang in trios, spoke before all people, had a job since I was a freshman in high school and found the courage to make and keep friends.  They opened our house to all my friends.

As I continue to age, I continue to face fears.   I have been around the world and have had all kinds of adventures campaigning and soliciting gifts and friendships for the university.  So I can't swim a lick and I seldom, if ever drive a car.  The world is better off for it  --believe me!   Living, even a semi-adventurous life, is not for sissies.   Regrets, I have a few!  Memories, I have many!   I am continuing to rack them up!