I read somewhere about the importance of a cheerleader in a child’s life – someone who really sees them, notices their accomplishments, and cheers them on. Ideally every child will have more than one of these, but this was about one adult who really stands out at playing that role. It prompted me to examine my childhood and consider if I had one of those and who it was.

It was Grandmama. My mother’s mother, the one I’m named after, Donnie Lois Moyer Johnston. I was the youngest of her numerous grandchildren and arrived 5 months after the first of her even more numerous great-grandchildren, but she still really saw me for me. She noticed and commented on what was unique about me or anything I was good at.

She saw and encouraged my love of reading and writing. She noticed me going straight to her Reader’s Digests when I came to visit and said she didn’t know children liked those. She gave me a book of facts about the 50 states which I devoured and basically memorized. She gave me a book of poems which I loved and still have. She gave me a copy of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott which I loved and read more than once. When I won an Essay contest in 5th grade, she made that the subject of her column in the Newark newspaper, including a picture of me. I have that clipping somewhere still.

I don’t remember particularly appreciating her pride and encouragement back then. It was just part of the air around me. Now I see it and appreciate it. Thank you, Grandmama.

Granddaddy, who I was also named after, George Eugene (Gene) Johnston, was pretty good at it too. I remember him saying, “I sure do like a tall woman” when I walked into his house, having recently turned into a tall, lanky teenager. I know for a fact the woman he adored most was not tall at all, but he said that to make me feel good about myself. I’m pretty sure it improved my posture as I stood taller in response.

My mother came from good people.