The gifts we have to give are no less significant than those of Bill Gates and other philanthropists. Each of us has an opportunity to give and make a powerful difference in the lives of others, says Hometown Hero Martha Murphy.

“It isn’t whether that gift is a billion dollars, or a listening ear, time, compassion or knowledge. What does matter is that we ‘live’ that giving spirit.”

Murphy, founder of Whidbey Children’s Theater, has been sharing her time and talent with children for 25 years.

Patrick Moote, a South Whidbey High School graduate, would say that Murphy’s gift to him was of Bill Gates’ proportion.

“I started with WCT when I was 4. Martha helped me realize at a young age that I had gifts to share and worked tirelessly to make so many opportunities for me and others. She instilled so much confidence in me, that now at 22 years old, I am down here in L.A. pursuing my dream of acting,” Moote says.

“Some people complain about kids just hanging out, others like Martha give kids something to be excited about in their lives. At a time when I was often depressed or confused, Martha showed me how to open up and be proud of a gift I could put my heart and soul into,” he adds. “I can honestly say that Martha has altered the course of my life for the better. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t appreciate having had someone like her influence me when I was growing up.”

Murphy believes we are all gifted with some special talent or passion.

Seated at her picnic table in her farmhouse garden, her voice is captivating with an array of reflections; her hands and eyes just as expressive.

As long as she can remember, she has loved organizing family plays and neighborhood shows. She grew up sitting on the piano bench alongside her father singing musical numbers before she even knew what they were.

“I was the second oldest of seven kids. Our supportive parents told us we could do anything we put our hearts into,” Murphy says.

After graduating from college, she married and had two girls. In 1981, at age 27, she unexpectedly found herself a divorced mother of two.

She felt like starting over, and moved from her Texas home to an old farmhouse in Langley to raise her children, then 5 and 7.

“I started classes and directed plays for children in my living room and backyard. Then I expanded to the library, street corners, and my church basement,” Murphy remembers. “My church family at Langley United Methodist has also been a great support to me in my work with children.”

Kevin Lungren, a parent of one of Martha’s students, tells how Murphy took her plays to the top of the Top of the Dog, Clyde Theatre, Learning Park, Murphy’s Third Street Barn, and now WCT, a non-profit organization that has it’s own wonderful space and stage in the Langley Porter Building.

Lungren says, “The people are few in number who have had as much impact on our kids as Martha has. Martha has what I would describe as ‘super-human patience.’ The early rehearsals look like ‘herding cats’ to me, and she turns them into something both the kids and the parents are proud of. I just don’t know, I don’t want to know, what our community would be like without Martha and her contributions. She enriches life here for all of us.”

It’s all about the children and young people, Murphy says.

It’s something that’s reflected in WCT’s mission statement: “WCT is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children by creating opportunities for them to discover experience and participate in the Performing Arts.”

Murphy writes adaptations of stories and also writes most of the younger children’s plays she directs.

She waits until she knows who will be in a particular drama class, so she can write parts for each child. If a child has any special needs, Murphy takes care to work with those needs to guarantee each child’s success.

“Sometimes I have nine little girls who all want to be a princess, so we just write a story about nine little princesses,” she says.

Murphy says WCT should be an extension of family, a safe place for kids to come to. All of us love children.

“I encourage kids to come by and share what’s going on in their lives. We are here to support and empower children, growing up is not an easy process,” Murphy says.

She knows from her own experience that someone can appear to be fine on the outside, while hurting on the inside.

“I spent a very lonely summer after my junior year of high school suffering with depression. I could not put words to my pain, and pretended to be OK to my family and friends.

“There were some significant adults who mentored me through the tough times and I was able to turn things around. In college I began counseling and continued this well into my adult life. Counseling should never ever have a stigma about it. I believe anyone can benefit from personal work with a good counselor,” she says.

Murphy is able to counsel herself now, beginning each morning with a celebration prayer and meditation, and making every effort to stay positive.

“I could not ask for a more fulfilling and purposeful life. I love the adults I work with, the parents, and most of all — the kids, who keep me ‘young,’” she says.

Murphy believes everyone has a gift to share right where they are today.

“Don’t ever tell yourself you don’t have enough to give, or that others have more to give than you. Everyone’s gift is unique and valuable, and no gift too small. All that’s needed is a ‘giving spirit.’”