Who influenced you to be who you are

notenoughtime · #1 09/04/07, 10:42 AM

Yesterday I spent all day mowing so I had a lot of time to think. I started thinking about how thankful I was to have my mom, dad and grandma to be the most important part of my life growing up. They gave me the knowledge and skills to be a responsible and respectful adult. My dad died when I was 17 so my time with him was short but during that time what he gave me was truely priceless. We all have people that influenced us to be who we are--does anyone else have someone out there that shaped and influenced them that they are thankful for.

mistletoad · #2 09/04/07, 10:49 AM

My parents and, considering how often I hear her voice in my head, my grandmother too. All of my family really. When I am on the tractor I think about my granddad and how he would be so proud that one of his grandchildren was farming and then I know he would laugh at how badly I plow and would show me his plowing trophies - these ones with his brother for a team of horses and these one for a tractor. For all their influence I will never win a trophy for MY plowing! lol

EDDIE BUCK · #3 09/04/07, 11:35 AM

God, I try to stay in His will, don't always succeed, but I try.
Wife, I try to be a good husband and meet her expectations. Like I said, I try.
Kids and grandkids , Im still trying to be a father to them all, You know, telling them things that fathers tell kids.

MY Dad, he always taught me to treat people with respect and like I wanted to be treated. And one other thing, when ever I plant a crop or garden, always make straight rows. That way no matter how the crop or garden turns out, one good thing can be said. "He sure does have some straight rows". LOL

I thank all you Folks for keeping me up half the night! LOL

gracegarden · #4 09/04/07, 12:24 PM

My mom and my youth pastor.

Granted, these are BAD influences. But they most certainly do count!

I have decided (and am continually reminded) I will not behave, lie, live, anything like her. She is the perfect example of how NOT to be.

I learned to help people, to truly listen to people, to take steps to do the right thing - from my youth pastor. I will never say a bad situation is "just the will of God." Bruises and broken bones are not "the will of God."
I believe in the will of God. I also strongly believe God put us on this earth to help the person in a "bad situation."
He doesn't reach down out of the heavens anymore, instead it is our job to do the "right" thing - not be a coward and scream "God's Will!" when the going gets tough - or will be unpleasant or "messy." And when the person claims to be "a man of God?!"
THAT is a lesson!

On a positive note.
When I escaped to college, the Allen family that took me in, showed my what a loving family was really like.
Rick and Janet did things for me I can never forget. When I asked how I could pay them back, all they said was that down the road someone else would be in need (physically, financially, spiritually, etc.) and I had to help them. Pass on what was done for me.
A lesson more valuable that all of my college education!!

Google can bring you information if you wish to learn.

People like the Allens' show you have to live.

Thank you again, Rick and Janet. You have helped me to change my life.

hoggie · #5 09/04/07, 12:26 PM

I guess my parents first. They always intended that my brother and I both be equipped to do everything in life. My brother learned to knit and cook, and I learned to garden and chop wood. My biggeset regret is that my Dad was in bad health by the time I reached my early teens, so didn't get the chance to teach me all the building skills and mechanic's skills that he had. My brother being 4 years older was just old enough to get taught a lot of that stuff.

I also learned from them that it was right to help people as they came into your life. My dad had a large building firm (for the island) and was always very involved in sorting out the waifs and strays who ended up on the payroll.

Also in a negative way, I have to thank a really MEGA rich family that were friends with my parents at one point (it has been said that this guy was probably the richest man you are ever likely to meet). When I was about 8 or 9 their daughter who was the same age as me had a birthday. She already had a pony and I was dead jealous - I didn't get my first pony till I was 11 - but for her birthday her father bought her the "upgrade" on her pony. She took one look at the new pony, burst into tears and said "but Daddy - I've got one of those - I wanted a rabbit". Even as young as I was I felt very sad, but I got a sudden very sharp lesson - all that money was never going to make her happy. The end result is that I have NEVER wanted for the things money could buy. A lesson worth learning young I think.

Also in a funny sort of way, my genes

When we came to trace my Dad's family history, it turns out that I come from a very long line of VERY tough incredible women, all of whom would have loved it her eon HT and fitted right in. So I probably guess I owe them a lot too.

hoggie

deaconjim · #6 09/04/07, 12:48 PM

Christ.

I'm not as much like Him as I should be, but everyone should be thankful that I'm not the man I would have been without Him.

Phantomfyre · #7 09/04/07, 01:18 PM

I think that everyone we come into contact with has a lesson to teach us. I try to find that lesson in everyone, even when it comes as a reminder of what NOT to do!

My parents were and are huge influences on me - Dad accepted my tomboy ways and taught me "boy skills," and Mom who insisted that I learn "girl skills," too! My late paternal grandmother, from whom I inherited my green thumb. My Aunt Bev, who broadened my horizons - literally - and whose foot landed on my posterior end from time to time when the situation deemed it necessary! My siblings; my youngest brother is a huge inspiration to me with his always positive attitude and willingness to help others. My high school band teacher probably saved my life, literally, as he was the only person who didn't give up on me through my battle with *undiagnosed* severe clinical depression in my later high school years. (Yes, I've contacted him since to tell him that, too!)

There are many, many more, but I need to stop somewhere...

Iddee · #8 09/04/07, 01:21 PM

Other than family, 3 MEN. With capital letters.

#1....had both legs amputated above the knee. Operated an automotive salvage yard and took his wife out dancing on Sat. night.

#2...No right arm, wooden right leg. Drove taxi all his life. Wouldn't have an automatic transmission. Always drove stick shifts.

#3...Right arm off above the elbow. Drove stick shift truck, farmed with a mule, could load a refrig. or couch on truck one handed.

When I get down in the dumps or think things are going bad for me, I remember these men and how they walked proud and never asked for any kind of hand out. My problems seem to become minimum nearly instantly.

tinknal · #9 09/04/07, 01:21 PM

A bunch of crochety old hard working men.

big rockpile · #10 09/04/07, 02:22 PM

As much as I hate him I would have to say my Stepfather as far as knowing what hard work is and the Old Ways.

My Mom as far as caring and the love of anything of Beauty.

big rockpile

WindowOrMirror · #11 09/04/07, 02:59 PM

Certainly my parents. I would say that two teachers and Winston Churchill played a part as well. My wife to some degree - and children - but God plays the largest part in who I am today... I hope.

R

P.S. Amen Deaconjim!

I ain't who I oughta be, and I ain't who I'm gonna be; but praise the Lord, I ain't Who I used ta be!

matt633 · #12 09/04/07, 03:03 PM

Definitely Christ, as I try to model my behavior by His and my decision's based on God's Word....don't always succeed, though, as some of you may have noticed!

SO many people...mostly my DH...he is just awesome. To someone who grew up lonely, sheltered, and troubled...he was just this breath...no HURRICANE!.. of fresh air. He doesn't concern himself w/ what others think, while financial responsibility and stewardship are important to him...wealth and affluence is not, he knows so much about the REAL world (hunting, fishing, gardening, working w/ his hands, etc) and he is a GREAT teacher and is constantly sharing his knowledge w/ those around him, he is always trying to learn more from others, he is completely secure in his own skin, he has great faith in God and exercises great discernment in almost any situation, he is strong and unafraid...I could go on and on. The point is...I was the exact opposite of everything I listed before I met him. I feel like he has opened me up to be this person that I never knew existed before and, thankfully, I am becoming those things the longer we are together.

Also, my mom has been single since I was 15 and went through heck and back w/ me. She was key in leading me to Christ, not to mention everything else she has done for me over the years. We have our ups and downs, but she means the world to me.

My dad taught me to work and to not give up on things. We have had a rocky relationship over the years, but I know he is a steady rock that is always there.

And my kids....the old "they have taught me more than I ever taught them" is SOO true. We have in some ways, grown up together and learned together. They are having the childhood that I wish I could have had (parents together, simple-family centered lifestyle, homeschool, etc), so I am kind of experiencing a "real" family right along w/ them!

My grandmothers, my younger brother, my inlaws, my first pastor, older women from our old church, my friends, and even many of you have influenced different areas of my life. So, THANK YOU everyone.

Rachael

nduetime · #13 09/04/07, 05:24 PM

Christ and books. I do not remember not being able to read. Words and letters have always made perfect sense to me.I try to follow Christ's teachings every moment of my life and I have been interested in pioneer, frontier type books since kindergarten.

Labrat407 · #14 09/04/07, 07:09 PM

Like the academy awards speech I would like to thank my Mother and Father.

A young man lives at home and always argues with his Dad,
He moves out to get an education and a job.
Later he comes home to see his Father,
He is amazed to see how much his Father has learned has learned in the time that passed.

In High school I had a wonderful woman who taught History and World Religions. She showed me different books and points of view that has left me with a solid view of Life.

If you have not read The Source it is a great read.

My DW and Kids have been the most recent and influential people.

Old Vet · #15 09/04/07, 10:00 PM

Cerantly my dad and mother. Then almost everyone that I have met. Some a lot but others just a little. They always teach me something even if that is not what they are trying to do.

chickenista · #16 09/05/07, 08:09 AM

All the generations of hard working mountain people who have come before me in my family. True homesteaders to have hit the mountains in the 1700's. And my great aunts..(13) I knew 4 very well and they worked their fields and canned ridiculous amounts of food well into their 90's. The hanging leather breeches, jars brimming with good food and the crisp taste of the springhouse dipper full of cool spring water all speak of home to me.