What's In A Name?

Many moons ago when I was in the beginning of my career I met a mentor that I could compare to no other.  She was classy and professional, but she knew how to laugh and have fun.   A tiny in height and petite in build with a personality bigger than men twice her size.  She was several years older than me and full of knowledge and common sense and was truly one of the best mentors a young, fresh from college girl could ask for.  She took me under her wing.  We worked side by side, she was new to the job that we were doing, but not new to the field.  She had raised two sons with a husband that was unkind to her that she divorced long ago.  She completed her college education while raising those sons into their older years and remarried a man that was her soul mate, who treats her extremely well.

 

A lesson she taught me well!

Over the years that we were co workers she taught many things.  How to laugh at myself, how to comfort someone in distress, how to work late and be up early preparing for court and still smile and look put together on little to no sleep.  I can describe her as caring and sweet, always willing to pitch in and help me out of any dilemma or drama that arose. Always patient and kind.  She was slow to anger unless it was towards an injustice. Truly a super woman.

The kicker was she wore the most provocative outfits, four inch heels and brightest nail polish around. One judge actually told her not to come back to court in neon green nail polish again as it was unprofessional. I can say we had quite the laugh over that one because if she was anything, she was extremely professional and always organized, but her wardrobe was outlandish and yet she was refined in all other ways.  A true contradiction in those terms.  

She was at my bridal shower, giving me the most shocking and naughty of all lingerie.  It did not surprise me one bit that she gave me something provocative.  She reminded me when I quit to stay home that on the first day we met I told her my goal was to be married and become a stay at home mom.  Well, she was right.  I did and when the opportunity arose that’s the path I choose.  Now, you may be wondering why I am rambling on about such a lady, well, she is where the name Baker comes from. She was one of my most memorable mentors and the dearest of friends.  I find great honor in using her name and though she will never read this, it was just my way of saying thanks for being so awesome through all the years of encouragement.  

So, I ask all of you, who provided guidance and mentoring for you?  If you are blogger, how did you come about your blogging name?  Did someone inspire you to be the best you can be?    Feel free to share, I’d love to hear of someone who inspired you in real life.

--Baker