Which person do you consider has had most impact on your life and how did that impact change you as a person?

Answer 1

Probably my father. Even though we haven't had any sort of relationship in over 30 years, there is an instance from my childhood that stands out, and is one of my most pleasant memories.

I was little, maybe 5 or 6, and we visited my grandparent's farm. I gathered some oats out by the chicken coop and took them home in a coffee can. I insisted that what I had was wheat, and I was going to raise the grain to bake my own bread.

Carefully, my father helped me to plant the oats in several cans, and to my amazement and delight, they grew. All summer I tended my grain, and when the time came, my father helped me harvest my meager crop.

On his way to work that morning, he said that he would have the wheat (oats) milled, and he would bring me home the freshly made bread. I couldn't wait.

Sure enough, that evening he walked through the door carrying a warm loaf of bread, and we sat together at the table enjoying several slices slathered with melting butter, talking away, having a wonderful time.

In my childhood innocence, I never questioned where this bread came from. I'm certain my father stopped at Laurie's Market on the way home and picked up a loaf, but at the time I was none the wiser.

Throughout all my years of single-motherhood, when I felt overwhelmed by the responsibility of it all, I would stop and reflect on this moment. This has allowed me to put thoughts of housework, yard work, and other inconsequential things aside, and allow me to take the time to appreciate the simple things in life with my children. That has made all the difference.

Answer 2

The most impact, i'm afraid, were not the pleasent ones in my life. Two sick, twisted men who saw too much in one little girl. They made me scared, sheltered, and with a feeling that I was first at equal worth of a pet, but later degraded to that of a 'thing'.
I have been changing myself though and becoming a person again, with the help and support of a few good friends. I'm changing to become whoever it is I am...so far I seem to be opinionated yet open to new things, outspoken, and have a strong sense of justice. Who'da thunk, huh?

Answer 3

I would say that the person who had the greatest overall impact in my life was my father who was the best example of Christianity a person could wish. He also taught me to think for myself, which is one reason that I ended up with a religion different than his.

Although we often did not agree, he was proud that he had raised a strong woman who would tell him what she felt in the best Greek traditions.......

Answer 4

That would have to be my cousin's son who was born when I was 12 years old. You see, he was born with Downs Syndrome and seeing him grow up and face the challenges in his life and how admirably he coped and persevered through them made me realize that mine were merely just bumps in the road in comparison.

I think one of the happiest days of my life was when seeing the huge grin on his face when at age 23 he received his high school diploma.