I was very lucky growing up. I had a very strong female role model . . . My Aunt Bessie. The biggest lesson Aunt Bessie taught me was that there’s a big difference between right and wrong, and that we should always treat people the way we would like to be treated.

She had three other very important principles she lived by:

* Always find the best in others.

* Always forgive and forget.

* Always lend a helping hand.

Aunt Bessie knew a lot about life but she never had any children. Instead she treated all kids as her own and she loved telling old stories and sharing life lessons. She was the nicest, kindest, warmest, most forgiving and understanding person I’ve ever known. She had a talent for helping people resolve conflict and you could always count on her for a shoulder to cry on. Aunt Bessie’s only fault was that she cared more for other people than she did for herself.