Influential People

[FlatpickingJD]

All of us have been affected, for better or worse, by many people in our lives. It seems that we can all point to one person, though, who has affected us more than anyone else. What person in your life affected you the most? What did he/she do? Have you done anything to make the effect last beyond your life (like pass on the life lesson the person taught)? Did you ever tell this person what impact she/he had on your life?

 

[GritsnGrace]

I would have to say my parents. They have always been there for me, through thick and thin. Through all my crises, and especially through the fire that could have cost me my child. They helped pack up what was salvageable, and put us up until we could get another home. They helped me while my daughter was in the hospital after she had a breakdown (she was 16, and blamed herself for the fire, we lost two precious cats) My daddy is gone to be with the Lord now, but I still have my mother, and I praise God for her!

 

[heffalump_hunter]

I would have to go to the darker side of my life when I was a child and remember the Grade 8 teacher who sexually abused me back in the 70's. Nobody talked about such things then, so there was no support for me.

I believe a lot of my mental health problems stem from that dreaded awful day. However, many blessing have also followed as God taught me to forgive and to let go.

 

[MMXII]

My Dad was the most influential person in my life thus far.

What did he/she do?

He lived a Christian life day in and day out. He went through so many trials in his life. He gave all the glory to God that he saved his life so many times. No matter what he went through he never said, "Why me?".

Have you done anything to make the effect last beyond your life (like pass on the life lesson the person taught)?

I hope some of his influences has rubbed off on me. I want to see the good in everyone, no matter what. I want to be a survivor and not a victim. I want Jesus to shine out of me.

Did you ever tell this person what impact she/he had on your life?

I had the opportunity to tell both of my parents how much I appreciated their influence in my life. I'm so thankful that I was raised in a Christian family with loving parents. But before my Daddy died, I had the opportunity to give him a huge hug on his frail body and whisper in his ear that I loved him and thanked him for loving and caring for me.

 

[country woman]

I would have to say my mom and dad. They raised me from when I was brought me home from the hospital all broken. both my mom and dad with the help from many doctors manage to bring me up. I love you mom and dad

 

[Tricia4Jesus]

My g/f Diane. She has been the voice of reason and God's wisdom when I have needed it. She was there when I gave birth to both of my babies, and I love her dearly.

 

[Mela'h]

All of us have been affected, for better or worse, by many people in our lives. It seems that we can all point to one person, though, who has affected us more than anyone else. What person in your life affected you the most? What did he/she do? Have you done anything to make the effect last beyond your life (like pass on the life lesson the person taught)? Did you ever tell this person what impact she/he had on your life?

Hi JD I'll leave the worse out ( God's lookin after that for me!) and focus on the better..... I was going to quit school in grade 10. I had moved around so much that by that time I was attending my 9th school. My mother was very occupied by her current boyfriend and really didn't care what I did. My principal caught wind of my wanting to quit and he made the effort to talk to me and offered me an alternative. There was a brand new alternate school program affiliated with the school and it was for girls. I checked it out and I stayed and I loved it!!! The head teacher was the most influential person to me when I was a teen. She genuinely cared, she encouraged me and she told me that I was capable of straight A's and I proved her right. I finished 2 1/2 years of school in 1 1/2 years and I graduated!!

I often think about where I would have ended up without her. She was God in skin to me and I think she is a big part of why I work with youth. Her actions made a huge difference in my life and I know I can do that for some other girl who feels kind of lost and alone.

I lost touch with her after I graduated. I have tried to get in touch with her off and on over the years but family just took up my time and it is a big effort....Perhaps I should try again. It would be good to tell her how much she meant to me.


So what about you JD, who influenced you the most?

 

[FlatpickingJD]

Hard to say. Negatively, my paternal grandmother. I had written a lot about her, but don't want to focus on her. Suffice to say, I'm careful about what I say to others.

Positively, my maternal grandfather. He came to this country with nothing, managed to earn enough money to bring every member of his family here too, and also support a family of his own. He never missed a day of work till he retired. He did the best he could, every day, showed his family he loved them through words and deeds. To me, he was a great example of what a man is supposed to be for his family.

I told him I loved him the last time I spoke with him, but that was about all. I hope to someday be able to tell him how much I loved him and what he meant (means) to me.

 

[If Not For Grace]

Since I've hit my forties my MOM (I know it sounds trite) has mellowed and become a real mentor. We had those turbulent teen years and as a result were somewhat estranged during my 20-30's. Its great to feel close to her again and know now that even differences can be good things--