Laura Baltuska said, “…life is like an unfinished book whose chapters are the years of our lives, telling an ever-changing story whose outcome no man can see until its last page is written.”

Life is like a book in which we are the author of our own story. The outer cover, our appearance, is visible to the world and is often the victim of biased judgment. The pages though, are where the true essence lies. As we progress along our journey, our cover begins to wear and show age. The pages become tattered and torn through the years. Each day, part of a new chapter is written and occasionally we flip back through the pages to reflect upon the previous chapters. Revisions are not allowed in this book, however lessons are learned and the wisdom gained influences future chapters. My book is nowhere near complete, however the existing chapters define who I am as a woman, teacher, daughter, wife and citizen. 
            Family is my foundation. My family is small, however it is extremely important to me. My mother and father got divorced when I was very young, however both of my parents raised me and were active in my life. When I was in middle school, my father remarried. For most of my life I was an only child, however in 1998 my little sister was born. Having a younger sister continues to be an incredible experience for me, as we do not have the typical sibling relationship because of the age difference. She has taught me so much about being a role model and that the decisions I make affect others. My family is my support system and they are the people to whom I look for advice and reassurance. I believe that all people deserve a loving and strong support system. My parents and grandparents have shaped my beliefs and values. Respect was a strong principle in my household and remains as such in my personal and professional life. Respect must be earned, one must give respect in order to be deserving of it. My family, although small, molded my belief system and they remain at my core.

Through different experiences, I have met many people whom I admire. My role models and mentors inspire me to pursue my dreams. These are the people who remind me that anything is possible. My grandfather is one of role models. I look up to him because he persevered through many difficult situations, pursued an education and created a career that he truly loved. He is a positive individual who inspires me to do my best and reach for the stars. I invest myself into my work and take pride in my creations. Having my grandfather present in my life as a mentor has proved valuable to me because he is a source of encouragement.

Traveling and learning about different people and cultures is one of my passions. I find it enriching, nourishing and enlightening to see how other people live and why they live how they do. Traveling to another part of the world is fascinating because it opens up new doors and provides adventure. When I was sixteen, I had my first traveling experience. I went to Europe with a group from my high school. This experience helped me to realize that the world is very diverse and that there are so many interesting places and people out there. I discovered, at age sixteen, that I wanted to dedicate a portion of my life to traveling and experiencing other cultures. Since then, I have traveled within the United States, Mexico and studied in France and traveled more in Europe.

Throughout my life, I was encouraged to try new activities and learn new skills. When I was in third grade, my mother insisted that I try piano lessons. Reluctantly, I went to the first lesson, however after leaving the first lesson I found that playing the piano was fun. Later, it developed into a passion and a method of expression for me. I continued to take piano lessons throughout high school and part of college. I decided that I wanted to share my love of the piano with other people, and I was given the opportunity to teach piano to young children. I taught piano for six years, and it was rewarding to pass on my passion to others. Teaching felt natural to me, I new that I wanted to dedicate my career to teaching others.

On October 6, 2007 a new chapter of my book began when I married my husband, Mark. We have a beautiful home in Muncie where we live with our four cats. Mark is another source of inspiration, encouragement and support. Together, we strive to be active parts of our community and help those in need.

As I continue to add chapters to my book, I always think  of a gift that I received. A friend once gave me a plaque that was inscribed, “Find joy in every journey.” Everyday I look at this plaque and it has become my motto for life. I truly try to find the joy and delight in the various journeys in life. Whether they are personal pursuits, academic endeavors, adventures, emotional growth or obstacles, I believe that there is joy to be found in all of them.

- Audrey N. (Merrell) Hannaford