Somewhere along the way, a teacher told me I couldn’t write. And you know what I did? I believed her.
That was my first mistake.
Since then, I’ve made many more mistakes just like it. I believed people in “authority” when they told me that I couldn’t do something. I listened when bosses doubted my ability. I agreed with friends who lacked belief in my talent. Thankfully like my food allergies and acne, I grew out of it. I no longer put much stock into their discouragement. In fact, their sometimes well-meaning but negative comments drive me. If I have a goal, I pursue it. Full speed ahead. Damn the torpedoes. Damn the naysayers.
Rejection is the poker that stokes my dream’s fire.
Yesterday, I won two awards at the Mississippi Press Associations’ Better Newspaper Contest. One was for editorial cartooning (my long-time craft that I love) and the other was for Best General Interest Column for my newspaper-size classification. The column that won was Banjo’s obituary. As I stood behind the podium (I was co-emceeing with the talented Stephanie Patton), I saw his big grinning face on the screen. My eyes started to water and I had to look away. Banjo was why I started back writing in the first place. It only seemed fitting that he brought me to that moment.
Banjo was the little brown dog who reminded me how precious life is. He was the little dog who reminded me to always pursue your dreams.
Thanks Banjo. The award was for you.
Thanks, Marshall. We had Sydney Ann (aka Bitty or Little Dog) as our teacher. We miss her every day.
The man who could because of a little dog who knew he would! Congratulations!
My personal motto for years has been “While you think up reasons I can’t do something, or new ways to tell me no, I’ll be out there getting it done!” I have forgotten it plenty of times and have taken the negativity to heart more often than I’d admit, but I still persevere. I’m proud to see how far you’ve come (and that even you have had to do it amid so many “doubters”)! It gives the rest of us hope!
Everyone who knows you personally and those of us who are just fans, know you have much talent for writing and drawing and speaking…Never doubt that..I had a teacher once in high school who told me I was not college material and I believed her….until an old gentleman told me he would like to see me fulfill my dream to become a teacher…He said he only had an eighth grade education and through determination and a little encouragement, he became a millionaire. He said everyone has the right to fulfill their dreams to be what they want to be..He encouraged me all the way, and offered to keep my three children while I was in college at MSU..His wife was a good influence also..The first room I taught in was the very room where I had been told I was not college material. Somewhere, I hope that teacher knows that I later took over her old room to teach and encourage every student who came through my door..You had pip, I had an old gentleman and his lovely wife..That was 40 years ago.I am now retired after 26 years of teaching.
I am sorry that I mistakenly said ,”you had Pip” when I meant to say,”you had Banjo”..Yes, I know there is a difference..She will encourage you in time..She is still very young..
At the correct moment a friend, stranger, loved one, pet comes to stand beside you and encourage you. A person also never knows who they,too, will encourage,
Congratulation Marshall! What a fitting tribute to your sweet Banjo.
Marshall … *red wing salute* … sorry I’m just now commenting. It was a CRRAAAZZZYYY week this week. And I’m just now catching up.