My Influential People Blurb

Everyone has come across other people who have influenced them in some way. Some of these people gently touched our minds and created a lasting memory. Some of them taught us lessons so profound we still remember them on an almost daily basis. Some were true teachers...striving to teach us something, that I have no doubt we needed to learn at the time. I've come across many people in my life who had a hand in making me what I am today. I'd like to publicly acknowledge these people in my life. I'm sure some of these people are gone from this earth by now, but the thought remains, they are important pieces of the puzzle of myself. I'm not going to pretend that this list is all encompassing - I'm positive I've left some people out. I'll just have to keep adding!

Donna - my mother! She is one incredible woman! I have nothing but respect for her and her life! She taught me the value of honesty, integrity, trust, sharing, keeping an open mind, relaxation, fun, playfulness, respect, hard work, and love. She also taught me to appreciate the finer things in life - and that you have to work to have them! She is my idol! (Wow an adult daughter who says this of her mother!) I wish she didn't live so many miles away from me - I'd love her to be around more! She is just a great person!

Me and My Mom A Few Years Ago!

Billy - my father! My dad taught me how to laugh! He knows all the jokes, and miraculously remembers them all. (I certainly didn't inherit any of his skill!) He taught me to not take myself so seriously all the time. He taught me quite a bit about cars, snowmobiles, chain saws, and other tools. I think my dad must have been the inspiration behind the Home Improvement television sitcom.

Myrtle - My maternal grandmother. She taught me so much about life! She was a wonderful woman who I always respected. She made the absolute best apple crisp in the world...and always had a nice hot pan waiting for us as kids. She was a remarkable cook, farm wife, and mentor.

George - My maternal grandfather. He taught me to never sit in *his* chair or I'd be stuck doing something horrible like rub his feet, or crack walnuts for him! He died when I was just a little girl. I'll always remember him for allowing my brother to be the only grandchild (of many) to sit in his chair. He tried to act all rough and tough but he was a pretty tender guy!

Irene - My paternal grandmother. This woman used to bake everyone out of the woods. The smell of her cookies or bread would bring the field workers running. She taught me to bake! She always amazed me because she is a diabetic and she never ate any of her goodies - how in the world did she ever know they were right? They were always perfect!

Walter - My paternal grandfather. I don't have much memory of him as he died when I was about five. But he was a hard worker and I can hear his laugh - I'm sure I inherited my laugh from some genes of his! He was fun! We used to play with him just like he was another kid!

Mrs. Nelson - My kindergarten teacher. She lived only a few blocks from us and her door was always open to my friends and I. This woman was so gentle and kind. She was intrumental in teaching me how to win friends and influence people. I've never had to read Dale Carnegie's book because of her!

Mrs. Horn - My second grade teacher. She was STRICT! Big time STRICT! She taught me discipline! She taught me to love learning and to adore books. She was revered by all the students in her class - and I'd be hardpressed to find one of them who didn't learn to respect her in the end!

Peggy Mann Rinehart - My Creative Writing teacher in high school. Cool! She was cool! She was down to earth, loved to teach, and open to a variety of different ideas. She swore she lived in a haunted house! She taught me to trust my instincts, hone my skills, that talent is sort of relative, and she taught me to be an individual. Her classes were always so much fun I didn't want them to end!

Jo Anne - a friend. I think it was Jo Anne who gave me the HTML bug! I met her a few years ago at work when I was doing user support and I went to help her with Paradox. Now she could teach me a thing or two about Paradox! She and I have a lot of laughs! She is a wonderful source of support too! Sometimes I feel I talk her ear off - but she has never once complained! Thanks Jo Anne for being there for me!

Diana - a friend. Diana and I also work together. We have a lot in common and have a lot of fun when we get to girl talking! Another one who I bend the ear off! Heck, I bend the ear off lots of people!

Dikki - a friend. This girl can make me crack into laughter and into tears in the same minute. We had so much fun together since we met in tenth grade! She doesn't live nearby, but when we get on the phone together we need to count on at least two hours! She taught me that life indeed is an adventure to be experienced!

J. A. - an ex flame. I suppose everyone has at least one true love in their life - this was one of mine. He was the first man I really loved - and in part it was because he taught me to do so. He was so incredibly romantic that I was always crying! :)

D. L. - another ex flame. This was the first guy who really popped my cork and made me want to keep it popping! hehehe! He taught me that anything goes if you like it. That I need to learn to take as well as give (I still struggle with this!) To let go of my inhibitions. To risk! RISK! And that S word, IS all it's cracked up to be!

BOBplus - an IRC friend! This guy has a talent for making a down-in-the-dumps mood into laughter! He has taught me quite a few lessons of late. One of the most valuable is that life is indeed too short to be unhappy! I think he'll be one of my lifelong friends! And to think, we've never seen each other face to face! If I ever get the chance to meet him I'm going to hug him to death! Okay not to death - just to oblivion!

V. S. - another beginning on IRC. This is a very special person in my life! There is much that he has taught me, and reawakened in me. I can't begin to explain what he has done for me. Suffice it to say, he is in my thoughts on a constant basis for many reasons. He is the person I wish I had met many years ago! He is the person who I was able to connect so deeply that it released the unhappiness I had trapped inside. Unfortunately, I wanted him to save me but fortunately, I was able to save myself through him! Thank you V! I will forever be grateful!

D. C. - Hours and hours we have spent, getting to know one another, sharing our similarities on IRC and the phone. He is fun, honest, intelligent, flirtateous, and good looking! Some strange magnetic force brought us together. He is friend and lover. He can bring me UP and then gradually and gently bring me down, and back and forth again and again. He can control my desire with his tender words, and release it with his incredible passion. His voice sends shivers of delight up and down my spine. D I really do wanna be your girl! Come and get me baby!

Back to the Cave!

Last Revised 2/22/97 2:20:25 PM