I Passed my Inspiration in the Hallway

 

My entire Frankford class inspired me.  Each person I met was at a different level.  We all came from the same neighborhood, but we had different backgrounds.

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After I moved the tassel,  I said, Damn, I made it.  I didn’t know I was graduating.  I wasn’t the person who spoke in front of class.

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A Styling Comb in Her Hand 

A Dream in Her Heart

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I dreamed of being a hair stylist from the time I was a little girl.  It was in my blood.   I had three uncles on my father's side who were hair stylists.  My parents offered to pay for beauty school, but I didn't want them to take on that financial responsibility.  I would go to beauty school when I was able to pay for it myself.  So, I went to work.

 

I started as a telephone operator.  If I wasn’t happy somewhere, I would move on.  At my last job, I worked as a sales person for Northeast Furniture on Frankford Avenue.  I worked there for three or four years, until it closed.

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Do You Know the Way to Beauty School?

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I attended Ambler Beauty Academy (Renamed The Beauty Institute) at 30.  (38 years ago)  A relative was a teacher there.  I asked, at what point do you know that a person is going to make it in this career? 

 

By asking the right questions.  And that's exactly what I did.  I constantly asked questions like--what does it mean when you tell me to do it this way?  What's involved in this particular process?  Why choose this product over the other?  

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You learn about chemistry and mathematics and how important understanding the anatomy and biology is in creating a successful hairstyling experience for your client, and that's what it's all about.    

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I also learned a lot from watching other stylists.  I love that I can incorporate my artistic style in what I do.  Everyone can pick a same color, but each one will come out a little different.  You have to communicate well with other people.  Customer service was always my strong suit.

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I worked in several salons, and eventually left on disability.

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Enjoying this Chapter in My Life

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I enjoy dancing and having conversations with new and old friends.  I especially enjoy being around former high school classmates.  I have five best friends who followed me from elementary, junior high to high school.  We had a ball at the Frankford Christmas party.  It was our first time there.

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Best Childhood Memory

 

My best childhood memory was singing with my dad in his lap when he played the guitar.  Dad had his own band.  He would always sing to me, "Daddy’s Little Girl."  I also loved the music he bought me.  I'll always cherish the statue he gave me of a father and daughter, representing us.

 

I also enjoyed being able to play outside and not living in fear.  Today, it's unfortunate children can't go out and play.  

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Time-Travel Back to 1971

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I'd say to my 17-year-old self, you should've paid more

attention in school.

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Advice to Frankford Students

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You are there to learn, and you should respect your teachers.  They are not there to hurt you--they’re there to educate you.  When you’re able to get an education, it’s so sad to just throw it away. 

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Favorite Quote

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Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed a dream.
As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,
there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,
You'd walk with me all the way.
But I noticed that during the saddest and

most troublesome times of my life,

there was only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why, when I needed You the most,

You would leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and

will never leave you.
Never, ever, during your trials and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you."

Only the bible.com

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