What would Shirley Temple do?

The year was 1972.  I remember hearing on the news that Shirley Temple Black had undergone breast cancer surgery.  I admired her for her inner strength when she announced she still had much to accomplish in her lifetime.  And she certainly did!  What a trooper to not only have survived cancer for 42 years, but she was an amazing diplomat who represented the United States with such grace, kindness and charm.

I had the privilege of meeting Shirley in 1988 during her book signing in San Francisco. I was excited to meet this iconic actress / humanitarian.  In fact, I scheduled a half day vacation and waited in line at the book store for almost three hours to meet this amazing woman.  She had this glow that radiated her inner beauty, and a very unique inner strength.  She was strikingly beautiful. I had the opportunity to speak with her before the actual book signing began.  I was humbled by this down-to-earth, extraordinary woman ... a true humanitarian.  She talked with me as if we had been friends for many years.

In December 2011, I was diagnosed with breast cancer for the third time.  Due to the complications I am unable to work a "regular job" and was classified as "disabled" by the doctors due to physical restrictions and limitations.  I was feeling frustrated.  The Social Security Disability doctor shared with me methods to "reinvent" myself.  During this process I thought of Shirley Temple, and asked myself, "What would Shirley Temple do?"  At a young age, Shirley's acting career came to a halt, but that did not stop her.  She became "larger than life" as she entered the arena of politics. She became an ambassadress, and in 1981, U.S. Secretary of State George P. Schultz, appointed Shirley Temple as first Honorary Foreign Service Officer in this nation's history. 

One night I was searching for a book in my study room when I found Shirley Temple Black's signed autobiography.  It was that spark I needed to proceed in finding a new Life Project.  I am no longer in the corporate world, but I have several opportunities that have been presented to me. 

Thank you, Shirley, for being my inspiration.  You will forever be in my heart as of one the first angels I met on earth.