Humor, an optimistic outlook, creativity and a sense of confidence are characteristics I find myself drawn toward. When I thought about what people I would go out of my way to meet I immediately thought of five people. Erma Bombeck, Carol Burnett, Paula Deen,Walt Disney and Jim Henson.

There are others (like Bob Knight, that is a column on its own) but these are at the top my list.

In a moment of self introspection I began thinking why these people are ones whom I admire. I realized it was some characteristics they have in common.

I loved reading Erma Bombeck's columns and books and was saddened by her death in 1996. It seemed like I lost a friend who knew me. Bombeck was an American humorist who achieved great popularity by writing about everyday life.

She began her career as a reporter for the Dayton Journal Herald which she gave up after marrying. Her local column was nationally syndicated in 1965 and eventually ran three times a week in more than 700 newspapers.

While that is an impressive accomplishment, I loved her for being a mother with a sense of humor that contained a twist of irony. As I've grown older and watched my own children grow I have learned to appreciate her sense of life even more. One of my favorite Bombeck quotes is this one: "When mothers talk about the depression of the empty nest, they're not mourning the passing of all those wet towels on the floor, or the music that numbs your teeth, or even the bottle of capless shampoo dribbling down the shower drain. They're upset because they've gone from supervisor of a child's life to a spectator. It's like being the vice president of the United States."

If I were to ever meet her in the afterlife I would ask her, "What happened to all the dustbunnies under the bed?"

Another mother for whom I have a great regard is Actress Carol Burnett.

Her hour-long variety show debuted in 1967, and was a huge success, garnering 22 Emmy Awards. In my opinion she is a woman who overcame difficulties to achieve greatness. She lives with grace and humor. And, her love of family never failed. Burnett believes "there is laughter in everything."

She was the recipient of the 2003 Kennedy Center Honor at the age of 70 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. But her greatest accomplishment remains her ability to laugh and make us laugh with her.

If I ever have the opportunity to talk with her I will ask her, "What is the greataest gift you have given your children?"

I identify with cooking show host/restauranteur Paula Deen not just because of her love of butter and potatoes but in her spirit of laughing out loud at life.

Despite being born in 1947, she tells everyone she was reborn in 1989.

"That day, I became totally responsible for myself and my happiness. That day, with the help of my sons, Jamie and Bobby, we started The Bag Lady. With everything I have endured in my life, I feel everything I went through has led me to this point. I just love my life and I embrace it everyday and I hope I have encouraged you to do the same with your life," she says in her biography.

Deen is a self-made success story who learned to take care of her family and did so with a sense of humor and a can-do attitude. You know she is fallible but can laugh about it. Her attitude shows in an apron she often wears on her shows that states: "I know I'm still a hot babe, it just comes in flashes now."

If I ever get back to her restaurant in Savannah or to one of her public appearances, I will ask her, "How do you make butter cookies?"

Muppet creator Jim Henson is widely acknowledged for the ongoing vision of faith, friendship, magic, and love which was infused in nearly all of his work. One of his favorite songs is called "Just One Person." It is a song that has been performed in many Muppet productions. The lyrics talk about how if only one person is there for you and believes in you, pretty soon other people will start to do the same. And before you know it, you'll believe in yourself, too.

He made us believe a frog and pig could have a romance. He taught us and our children about friendship and loyalty. And, he did it a magic manner that made us believe in ourselves.

He died suddenly and much to soon. Yet, he has created a world of magic for so many generations. If I meet him someday in the great beyond, I will ask him, "Who do you believe in?"

Walt Disney is a legend; a folk hero of the 20th century. His worldwide popularity was based upon the ideals of imagination, optimism, creation, and self-made success in the American tradition. He gave us a look at the future, while telling us of the past. He is another person who gave us magic and laughter, and a sense of belief in what can be accomplished with a dream. He brought to life some of the greatest characters of all time. I still believe in fairy godmothers and animals who can talk. My children and now my grandchildren sit in front of a Disney movie and are transported to a magic land.

If I ever get close to the place he must be, I will ask him, "How do you keep the magic inside you?"