As I fondly look back at the memories of my parents, I am in awe of them and am greatly inspired by them. Owen and Clara Moore had minimal formal education, but they were able to recognize the special gift in me. They saw that I was unafraid to take charge of any situation, even at a young age. My parents nurtured, guarded, and encouraged me to cultivate my gifts. They were careful about who they exposed me to. I never spent the night at a friends house. Instead, I spent most of my time with my parentslearning how to become an active listener and learning the art of conversation. For example, they allowed me to ask questions. I was careful to be very respectful when asking a question; however, I always wanted to know why. As I think about it now, I remember how often the conversation would go on for hours. I have to pause and ask myself, Did they ever really answer my questions? Or did they just humor me? Those conversations helped me develop the confidence to talk to adults with amazing poise and confidence. In some homes, asking questions is called talking back, having a smart mouth, or having a stubborn spirit. However, my parents and family members knew that it was not the case with me. I simply wanted to know why! Although I had a strong desire to be a leader, there was major hurdle in my path. I had a severe speech impediment. I stuttered so bad that I could not answer the telephone. In the 1960s, Mattel created the Pull String Talking Porky Pig Doll. I got one for Christmas that year because I sounded just like him. Eh beh, beu ehthats all, folks. Well, that went on for the next fifteen years. However, I never lost sight of my dreamto be a leader. To this day, I cannot tell you when I stopped stuttering. I never had a formal speech class nor had a speech tutor. My parents believed in the power of prayer. They also believed in me! They knew that with prayer, love, and support, my desire to be a leader would one day come true. I am entering my forty-fifth year as an educator, mentor, and leader. I have learned many lessons along the way, and I share them with you in the hopes that you will use them to make your path a little more enjoyable, fulfilling, and successful. In this book, I offer to you the same encouragement my parents gave me, and I ask that you use my nuggets of wisdom to guide you on your journey.
