Show don’t tell. That’s what writers are always told, but that applies in real life too. Kids, young ladies and gentlemen, and even other adults need to see people living up to their ideals to do so themselves.

That is what my new book, “Reclaiming Femininity: Saving Women’s Traditions & Our Future,” is all about. We need to embody our values to bring grace, dignity, and honor back to society.

Here’s a silly little story: When I was a new driver I tested myself in the snow. I had to. I worked a lot and went to school and ended up having to support myself my senior year of high school.

One day we had a crazy snowstorm and I worked about 30 mins from my new apartment on a good day. My busted up car died if I ran the heat. so I slowly braved the roads with my teeth chattering.

About an hour in I was still a ways off from home. The highway was closed so I took Mason Rd, a popular back route that wound all around. People were sliding everywhere and I almost got hit. I prayed to the Gods that if I made it home safely I would honor them and name one of my children Mason if I ever became a mom.

I was good at taking it nice and easy and not slamming on my breaks. Light taps got me through. But one of the stop lights was out and no one was stopping or waiting for others. It was a dangerous mess of people swerving and sliding around.

When I finally made it to the front of the line, I treated the intersection like a stop sign (like you’re supposed to) and came to a full stop.

Suddenly the people on each side of me did the same. Instead of barreling through, they stopped and waited for me. When I checked my rearview mirror, the people behind us were doing it too.

I realized that all it took was one person to do the right thing to help other people do the same.

And that philosophy has aided me in motherhood, my writing career, and all avenues of life. I’ve always made it home safely because I’ve always tried to do the right thing and lead by example.

And when my second child was born I thought I was done having kids, so although she is a girl I gave her the middle name Mae, short for Mason.