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Never Despise Humble Beginnings

There's a supremely sappy series of pioneer-age historical fiction movies that I indulge in watching every so often. They're total chick flicks and totally wonderful. And one of my favorite lines from them is "Never Despise Humble Beginnings." The advice is given from a father to a daughter who is deciding between suitors, but the advice extends beyond that context.

Today I was thinking about that line while doing a little research about a favorite author of mine, Jerry Spinelli. I love so many of his books (Stargirl, Maniac Magee, Loser, and Eggs to name the best of the best), but I didn't know anything about the man behind all the masterpieces til today. This short autobiographical video brought that line back to me:


I was struck by how Spinelli had to choose between two necessary items--milk and cough medicine!--for his children at one point in time since his finances were so tight. His circumstances were very humble. Caring for one child and  providing (with Kevin by my side) for his needs has taught me and my pocketbook a lesson (albeit one I'm grateful to take part in). I can only imagine that money must have been tight for Jerry & Eileen as they cared for six little ones. He worked his day job and wrote on the side PERSISTENTLY until his work was published. And it wasn't until Maniac Magee was published in 1991 that he became wildly successful.

I'm sure glad Jerry Spinelli didn't despise his own humble beginnings. Perhaps he had moments of self-doubt... in fact, I'm positive he did have moments of self doubt... but that didn't stop him from writing, trying, submitting his work to publishers, and re-submitting his work to publishers. Because he valued his talents and pursued his ambitions notwithstanding his humble circumstances, thousands of readers have been tremendously moved by his words.

Incredible.

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