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Rhode Island

forget about athletes, movie stars and other famous people for a moment.
who do you consider the most influential person or persons in your life? who showed you the way?
mom?dad?grandparents?a big brothet or sister? a special aunt or uncle? these are our true heros for sure.
pap

2/7/2012 8:06:07 AM

Rhode Island

for me it was my grandparents marion and frank sharron.i owe everything i am today because of them.

2/7/2012 8:30:38 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

Pap, I'd have to say my Grandfather. He was a WW2 Navy Vet. a family man who started his own business in 1955 from a rented garage. Its still in operation now and has my father and uncle who now own it. He was also a volunteer firefighter serving as a Captain with over 29 years active service. He was an avid church man and was involved in the men's ministry as well as the Bristol Forth of July Committee, and zoning board,He loved doing clam boils!
He died at age 61 from Heart disease, I swear till this day I never saw a man suffer as much as he did. He never complained. He is buried at the North Burial Ground in Bristol By Colt Park. I visit often and play my bagpipes there. I have a tradition every St. Patrick'S Day. I get all dressed up in my Bagpiping gear and play a few tunes in his honor. Then I get a Bottle of Irish Ale or Guinness and we have a beer with him. been doing this since I have been playing. He taught me to state my opinion no matter how unpopular you may be, Treat the less fortunate good, Belief in God, and to fight the good fight. I still have the tape of the funeral, it was attended by several local fire dept. They did a great job in sending him off.

2/7/2012 8:41:18 AM

Cameron

My Grandfather. He was a vet of WW1 & (signed up at age 13 British Navy) & WW2. His love for the outdoors, his simple way of life & his sound advice gave me the tools I needed to succeed in whatever I decided to do. I must also include my wife Jane. Together for 30 years & married for 25 years (June 9th, 2012), we have managed to help each other through whatever life sent our way.

2/7/2012 9:24:04 AM

Frenchburg, Ky

They have taught me the definition of love and how to love. From their relentless questions, I am closer to Christ. By losing a ball game or spelling bee, they have taught me that it's not a loss, we just didn't win this time. They have taught me that the free puppy is worth much more than the $600 Xbox. They have taught me to keep track of the goods things that they do instead of keeping track of the bad. When times are tough they have taught me that they don't care as long as we spend time together doing something...anything. And they don't mind talking about death and dying, so I have learned to accept the thought of death and know that I am going to die and that my time with them is limited. The lessons are many but the most important one that they've taught me is that I am their hero and they want to be just like me. In my wildest dreams, I never imagined that my two sons would have such an impact on me. They are molding me into the man that I am becoming.

2/7/2012 9:42:54 AM

Nova Scotia

Grandfather for mee too. WW2 vet, he put family first. He worked hard and played hard, supported his church and anyone down on their luck. Maybe the funniest man I ever met. In the early 70's he would listen to Red Sox games in the driveway on the car radio, you couldn't pick it up any other way.

2/7/2012 10:09:47 AM

My parents. But in a small community everybody watched you and a person had to answer for things when we got home. A neighbor taught us to run long and fast or get your butt kicked and not complain about it because you had to go home.

2/7/2012 4:56:29 PM

Linden, Mi.,

My Father, I also had a uncle, that I looked up too.
My Mother - one of a kind, tried to fine one like her, there just isn't one.

2/7/2012 5:13:57 PM

North Smithfield, RI

My mother was one for sure ! Graduated Valadictorian in her High school class in 1937 . That was very unusual for a woman in those days . She went on to be a teacher and lived to be 88 .

2/7/2012 5:53:22 PM

West River

my grandmother.......she was a 3rd grand teacher for manys years......tears me up when i think about her...she is resting at peace now for over 10 years now

2/7/2012 7:04:46 PM

Polson, Montana

My father,the best man I have known. Never had much but gave all to friends of any color; was friends to all. He was friends to all and they knew it. At his funeral all attended both black and white. Quite a tribute to a man in Mississippi. Loved his children and especially his grandchildren. Never complained and worshiped my mother who was very sick for a number of years. Waited on her day by day. I am proud that he is my father and can only hope that I can be a small part of what he was.

2/7/2012 9:06:31 PM

Mn

Dad, Mom, God, always there for me, through the thick the thin, will always be in my heart, forever.

2/7/2012 9:45:00 PM

South East

my brother

2/7/2012 10:42:35 PM

Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada

For me it was my Dad! - He was a general practitioner and a very down to earth man. He gave me my love of gardening and composting from a very early age. There is not a day I remember that he did not come home from the medical office after tending to the sick (and hypochondriacs) that he did not come home, put on his rubber boots and overalls, crack a beer, grab his wheelbarrow and go out to his garden. During the winter months he would go down to the basement and transplant our house plants like a mad-man! I so wish he could have been here to see me gain an interest in giant veggies because I think he would have been my biggest cheerleader and partner. Cancer is a nasty thing

2/7/2012 10:50:03 PM

bliss,N.Y. 14024

Pap-
Mt grandfather!
Hands down. I helped in his garden and he hooked ( lifelonf addiction)me into working with the soil.

2/8/2012 12:13:12 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Great read, SS.. thanks!!! Peace, Wayne
PS...I am sure he is still watching!!!

2/8/2012 4:33:27 PM

Littleton, Colorado

My Mother has always been my greatest mentor in growing things and in everything important in life! A year or two before she & I discovered Big Max pumpkins (about 1969), she got me excited about growing giant squash--she had discovered giant pink banana squash seeds, so she & I grew them in 1968. We ended up with a 42 pounder. I was hooked for life! So was she. She grew her last and best pumpkin in the twilight of her 83 years. (about 400 lbs.)Then on Christmas night of that year (1999), she went to her new home. I'll bet she's growing something really big there! Great topic, Pap. Makes us think about who and what matters most!

2/8/2012 6:40:19 PM

Muddy Waters Michigan

My mother,She had me tilling & caring for a garden in 1973,raised rabbits,canned maters,jams & jellies,Had me cooking meals for 10 people at age 12.She set me up working for a bricklayer,aluminum siding contractor,She helped me to become the hard working,God fearing person I am today!Thanks MOM!Great Post!

2/8/2012 8:30:57 PM