Who Were The Greatest Influences In Your Life?

[fmdog44]

#1 Was my dad - to keep a moral, honest and sensible approach to everything and as he put it, "work harder than the nest guy".
#2 My highschool sophomore year Western Civilization teacher - the most dignified person I have ever known while being tremendously compassionate for everyone and a level of intelligence that any one would love to own. Though we were in high school she addressed everyone as "Mr". and "Miss".
#3 Johnny Unitas - a professional football player that stood for working hard and taking what the game gave you in terms of disappointments, physical punishment and believing you are a team member, not a star. Above all, not to complain when things did not go your way.
#4 My next door neighbor - served in the Marines in WWII in the battles against the Japanese in the island battles considered the most horrifying of the war. While he lost his life to alcoholism after his service but he was always one of the most kind and loving human beings I have ever known.

 

[dkay]

1. My grandfathers who taught me about faith and hope (they lived through some very difficult times)
2. My grandmother who taught me how to sew, cook, the importance of women voting
3. My fourth grade teacher because he was fair, treated all of his students with respect and he wore a bow tie better than anyone I've ever seen
4. The mechanic who lived in my former home town. He still had the number tattoo on his forearm from being in a concentration camp during WW2. He taught me that good can overcome evil
5. Every person I've ever met from another country. I've never been outside of the USA and I've learned that while we may look different, we want the same things: to be able to provide food, clothing, shelter and a safe environment for our families. To work. To have access to education.To practice whatever religion we believe in freely and without fear. I've been blessed to have shared their foods, their cultures, their stories.

 

[C'est Moi]

My parents.