I was very young, maybe four or five, when To Kill A Mockingbird was shown on television. I was quite the tomboy and loved Scout immediately. But Atticus was mesmerizing. Always calm, always fair, always doing the right thing. I wanted him to be my dad so bad it hurt. Honestly, I still do! Knowing there were men this good in the world gave me great hope and I was lucky enough to marry one. I knew what to look for, knew what I wanted and did not settle for less. I have seen every Gregory Peck movie ever made and still love him to this day.
To Kill A Mockingbird was the first time I saw how unfair the world could be, I was devastated. While I remain an idealistic human being that first lesson in the importance of doing the right thing remains in my heart and I always have hope.