An Overachieving Active Imaginator

An Overachieving Active Imaginator

Growing up, I dived into school as an escape from the constant chaos and drama at home. Many mornings, I literally ran to school, excited to greet the teacher and learn what the new day would bring!

The library was a favorite spot and I would check out as many books as allowed. Reading took me away from current events to an imaginary world, where, at times, I was able to control the story.

Learning new definitions to understand their meaning, I referred often to the class dictionary. In 6th grade, before we could get on the bus for Hershey Park, we had to spell the following word:

PNEUMONOULTRAMISCROSCOPICSILICOVOLCANOCONIOSIS

I was the first one that boarded! BTW, it is the longest word and is a lung disease caused by breathing in small pieces of ash or dust.

That began a life-long love of the written word. 

Drawing came naturally as I drew on most everything. When my mother bought a new pair of pantyhose, I begged her for the cardboard piece inside the package.  Soon, it was covered with Wanda doodles.

Becoming proficient when using a knife at home to sharpen pencils came with a few bloody cuts. It was necessary to learn that skill because that worn, wood-encased piece of graphite was well used.

My teacher encouraged me to enter several art contests. For Halloween, we were to draw and color a favorite character. At that time, Dracula was very popular and grabbed the imagination of kids and adults.

He had black hair with a widow's peak, a green face, big, google eyes and long fangs. Instead of looking menacing, he was a happy vampire. Few words can describe adequately, the pure joy felt when I won!

I often dreamt of working for Hallmark because the cards in the store were so beautifully illustrated, the words rhyming, funny or positively uplifting. I'd stand for what seemed like hours, reading them.

That began a life-long love of graphic design.

Attending college, getting a degree encouraged working in advertising agencies and eventually as a Assistant Marketing Director for a large builder, learning construction from the ground up.

Traveling all over the United States to accept 20+ awards on their behalf was exciting, fulfilling the creative side. Unfortunately, when the market turned down so did the owner's attitude. I was out!

Starting over at 45 years of age was daunting at first but when realizing that people needed my services, all apprehension dissolved, took my RE classes, passed the real estate test and never looked back.

 That began a new life in the real estate industry.

Fifteen years later, I am still going strong. The Sphere of Influence has grown and I have managed to create a stellar reputation in the southern Utah area. The Golden Rule is applied in every aspect of my life.

These are a few experiences that have influenced my journey. Am grateful for the ability to use the imagination while reaching higher! My book would be beautifully illustrated stories, poems and inspirational quotes.

This is the #1 entry to the February 2022 ActiveRain Challenge: What's Your Story? A special thanks to hosts, Carol Williams and Anna Banana Kruchten CRS, Phoenix Broker for taking this on.