Dear Dr. Laura,

I wound up registering on your site, and felt compelled to take a moment to thank you for all the years of influence you have been in my life.

My 14 year old daughter is doing her homework as I type, and I want to mention that kid has grown up "knowing" you, hearing your voice as she rode in her baby car seat, and then booster seat. I decided to quit my job when she was born, and it was LARGELY due to YOU and your influence. I was a teacher myself, and when it came time to find an appropriate day care, I kept hearing your words in my head. I left that day care "interview", 8 months pregnant and huge. While the babies in the day care were beautiful as can be, they were propped up in a circle, each in his/her own little baby seat, and there was no practical way for each one to have much attention. They looked like little planes waiting on a runway, or maybe a warehouse for babies. It made me feel so sad I made up my mind then and there we would figure out how to live on one paycheck. We did have to scale back financially in EVERY way, truly we did, but I became the second-hand store super-shopper.  I was so well known to the ladies there they put my then-baby daughter and me in one of their television commercials. Very cool.

So that's how we spent our days, while she was growing up, we had a routine, playgroups, field trips, and plenty of time to bond. We'd get into our car and take a little spin just before nap time. I'd buy a yummy coffee drink (my daily indulgence) and then baby, later toddler, and I would drive and listen to you on the radio! It was the best part of my day, it really was, it helped center me, reassure me, and remind me why I'd quit a job I loved. I listened to your sage wisdom, and that was time I could NEVER RECLAIM. I am so glad you came into our lives through the radio. To give you an idea how long ago that's been, when we started listening, you were advertising your 50th birthday party, and later the second annual 50th birthday party, LOL. My daughter claims she remembers all that. I was decidedly indoctrinating her; I wanted her to be immersed in the wisdom that is your show. Now, that doesn't mean we always see eye-to-eye on everything, but I don't think you expect or demand that from your loyal followers, not at all.

Fast forward to now: daughter is 14 and she is a wonderful, kind-hearted, DECENT kid, one who thinks of others, one who lives to honor herself by her own deeds and good works. And I can't resist telling you that now, when we're in the car we say, "Oh, oh, oh, Dr. Laura's on, let's listen." and sometimes someone will ask a question that makes us each turn to the other and go "OH NO! You must not listen to this show, you are gonna be so BUSTED!!" We laugh and realize we've been bonding over your show all these years.  EVERY DAY YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THANK YOU FOR THE INFLUENCIAL TEACHER YOU'VE BEEN.

Lisa