By Louise Seikel

    There have been many people who have impacted life as it is today. The one person who comes to my mind as having made a tremendous mark on this generation, as well as generations to come, is Mother Theresa. In her own quiet, unassuming way she has helped thousands of people to have a better quality of life.
    She was not born to royalty; she was not born to famous parents; she was not blessed with great wisdom or wealth, but she left an indelible mark. Her assistance to the throngs of people who suffer from poverty extends far beyond the country to which she ministered, India. The order of nuns that she founded has ministered to those less fortunate in many countries, including the United States. They are the unsung heroes to families who have become entrenched in the throes of poverty.
    There are many missions throughout the world who are staffed by the Sisters of the Poor. Each of the nuns, in their own way, follows the example set by Mother Theresa.
    Many, who are not in any particular religious community, have been inspired by this holy woman, and attempt to spread her message of love. She has been honored by royalty, by religious leaders, and by common folk, for her gentle spirit and her dedication to mankind. We are indeed blessed to have this wonderful woman be a part of our generation.
    During my lifetime I have seen many wonderful inventions come to fruition. It is difficult for the youth of today to imagine life without television and computers. As a child, my only access to entertainment and world news was through the radio and the movies. Prior to every film shown in the theater, there were news films of happenings throughout the world. It would be a shock for our parents and grandparents to see the tremendous strides that have been taken during our lifetime.
    Computers continue to amaze me! It is incredible to have all the information you'll ever need at your fingertips! It boggles my mind to imagine what the future holds in the world of computers.
    Since the advent of television and more sophisticated news reporting, people have become more aware of life beyond their immediate communities. As a consequence, I think there is a greater sense of responsibility for the world as a whole. We are concerned with our environment and realize that unless we protect what we have today, there will be far less tomorrow.
    I think that values in our families have changed drastically in this generation. A large percentage of our children are being raised by single parents. As a consequence, the family unit no longer exists in many households. Our children do not have parental role models to follow. There does not seem to be the same set of family values being instilled into our young people. I think our greatest natural resource is our youth, and I hope that we will be able to preserve and protect them in the future.
    Editor’s Note: Louise Seikel is a lifelong area resident and works at a doctor’s office in Akron.