Recently Margaret Page was sharing her experiences about the women who inspired her thoughout her life and this inspired me to share my thoughts about the women who continue to inspire me.  Some you will know; some you will not, what you will see throughout my stories is how they have contributed to making me a better woman because they touched my heart.

Roz Hooper – 100 Mile House BC

When I was 18 yrs old I moved to 100 Mile House to work at the Red Coach Inn as a evening busgirl and daytime waitress.  I moved into Roz’s boarding house with 6 other roomies.  Roz made it crystal clear that her house was our home and she gave true meaning to the term “Den mother”.  She had frosted grey hair, an aristocatic presence, she enjoyed a glass of wine every night and her jovial laugh made my belly ache.  What I remember the most about Roz is her unconditional love for everyone no matter where they came from or what they represented.  I remember on many occasions local Johovah Witness’s would come to her door and she would always invite them in to ‘talk’.  Roz’s favorite book was the Bible of which she read everynight before sleep; on her nightstand you would always find a well read copy laying next to her empty wine glass.  So when Roz would invite her guests in for the talk little did they know how enlightening the discussion would be for them.  Roz lived a spiritual life where she believed we are all God’s children and we are all loved equally, she saw people as beautiful human beings.  Roz is no longer with us but I thank her just the same for helping me accept others for who they are no matter where they come from or what they represent.

I think about Roz every once in a while and I am reminded of the gift of acceptance that she gave me.

As part of an ongoing series I will share more stories about the women that have inspired me – past, present and future…