Jami's Role Models

It takes a village to raise a woman as great as I am, to be sure. Of course, my mother is and was my biggest role model, but as a member of the TV generation, there are a couple of fictional characters I'd like to thank for some life lessons. Princess Leia Organa - Sure, every little girl wants to be a princess, but Leia wasn't the sitting around posing type. At a very young age, she led a rebellion against a vicious dictator. She stood up to torture, survived daring escapes, shot at enemies and led her troops into battle. I still remember watching Star Wars: A New Hope for probably the 100th time, maybe age 9 or 10 and realizing that when Alderaan exploded in front of her, Leia had just seen her home and family and all her friends blown up before her eyes, and yet, she didn't crumble, she fought. And she maintained her dignity, humor and charm. She opened her heart to new friends and a new love. Leia held her head high and kept her poise even in the toughest situations, but she wasn't hardened. Tough, beautiful, classy, smart. That's what Leia taught me. Part two tomorrow - The Husband wants a turn on the computer. I think Leia would let him have one.