People who have made an impact on your life.

[yawning801]

Put this in AIBU because I wanted it to stay.

Who has made an impact on you, and how?
I'll start with my friend. We've only known each other for about a year but she's provided me with so much support (and I have tried to reciprocate), she knows me better than I know myself and despite never actually having met (and being in completely different countries and time zones) we can pretty much tell what each other is thinking. Don't know where I'd be without her.

[DeusEx]

I hope I haven’t upset anyone by sharing that.

[DeusEx]

A controversial one, but a church leader I knew well when I was in primary school. He inspired in me and my siblings a deep and enduring love of music and of the beautiful and spiritual side of religion. Both have been fundamental to my life, my friends and relationships, and music in particular has given me so many opportunities. He gave me the tools to counter my worst depressive periods - music is a source of confidence and hope for me. He was also there when I faced psychological and emotional abuse from my mother. He was one of the only neutral and understanding adults I knew.

He was convicted several years ago of possession of indecent images. I feel so conflicted - I work in a law related sector, understand well the awful, awful damage done by child porn, and haven’t been in touch since - but it doesn’t negate the way he changed my life.

[Allchangehere346]

What a great thread!

My boss who hired me back in 2015, supported me through so many things, including mental health problems, my pregnancy... once at a works do, he drunkenly said tome he felt proud of me - in a paternal way.

I wish I could have say this to him now without me sounding weird and creepy (not been in contact for 2 years) he was the best boss I have boss I ever had. And I think of him often.

[springmachine]

My soon to be DH who showed me what life should really be like after a terrible time with abusive exh

[WaterOffaDucksCrack]

I'm sure people will think this a boring response but my son! Before I found out I was pregnant I was an addict. Totally 100% my choice and my fault but I do think the emotional, physical and sexually abusive relationship I was in was, in a way, a factor. My son was born and my life changed more than I thought possibe. He's 3.5 now, we've just moved in with my boyfriend and his son and I have built a career. Everything I've done has come out of love for him and the strength he's given me. Don't get me wrong being a single parent and dealing with the amount of psychological trauma I had (and still have) has been so challenging. But so so worth it.

[Raffles1981]

SmokeAndBone

[Raffles1981]

My brother. He taught me how to life each day as if it matters - but only after he died. His humour, his beautiful soul, it all stays with me.

My DP - he sees the best in me, even when I'm self destructing. His patience, wisdom, love for me is unbelievable.

My adoptive mother. She saved me. Stayed by my side even when I was wrong, even when I was breaking.

Love this thread

[LizzieBennettDarcy]

My Nan.

I spent so much time with her growing up. She was so proud of her family, and loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren. I'm so sad she never got to meet her great great grandchildren.

I miss her every day but was blessed to have her in my life for 40 + years. She was a huge influence in my life, even more than my mum to be honest.

[SmokeAndBone]

A former DP.
He bought me my first proper camera, took me to Scotland for the first time, played me Sandy Denny, was patient and kind.
He died while we were still together, and although my life moved on, he left me a profound legacy. So many of the things I cherish have come from him.

Oh dear. I'm making myself cry now.

[norbert23]

My primary school teacher, she was so kind and nurturing after my mum died at the beginning of ks2 and always made me special jobs and kept an eye on how I was. A thousand small things that added up to feeling truly cared for at a terrible time, all the way until I left at 11. In fact, when I went back at 21 for a placement before I started my PGCE she was still there and was exactly the same. I really should have told her all this! I might do now

[AlphaBravo]

One of my best friends. I met him on a night out about 5 years ago. He made me realise it's ok to be me and he always says I've done the same for him. He was living 'straight' and is anything but straight, it was tearing him apart inside until I was the first person he told. I helped him come to terms with who he really was. He helped me emotionally and mentally, more than I can ever say, after my son was born.

He makes me feel like the most beautiful soul whenever I'm around him and it's delicious.

[The80sweregreat]

My very best friend and my dh!

[Bluelady]

No, Don'tcare, she was called Miss Loftus, she never married. Perhaps your Mrs Anderson was her sister!

This thread is making me cry.

[HaulingFreight]

My psychologist. She helped me put myself back together after being gripped by bulimia and fighting for justice after being sexually abused as a child. I haven't been sick in nearly 2 years, and my abuser is serving 20 years in prison. She showed me who I really was, and how to break the unhealthy cycles I found myself in when I was low. I'm now a mother to the most beautiful little girl and I genuinely believe without my her help and guidance I wouldn't have been so blessed.. she's also a mumsnetter so she might see this

[redastherose]

What a wonderful thread

[DisrespectfulAdultFemale]

My dad. He raised me after my mother buggered off to do her own thing. He has been there for me every step of the way. He is kind, generous, funny, gentle and liked by everyone.

[IdontknowwhyIcallhimGerald]

The nurse who held me through intimate examinations after I'd been raped and kept whispering into my ear "I'm not going to let anyone hurt you". 30 years later I still feel so much love for that woman.

The young, (20 years younger than me), gay man who confided in me that he'd been raped. Then when I was going through an awful time, came to me and said "We've survived the worst - we can survive again. We can do anything." And I held those words through it all and they kept me alive.

[yawning801]

This thread has been such an eye-opener - I hope that one day, I'll be able to have the same impact on someone. Thank you

[averageisgood]

My art teacher when I ws 14 and anorexic. She knew, but tried to give me the space I needed at lunch times to eat something without being watched. She trusted me to be in the art room, let me have anything I wanted from the supplies cupboard, taught me how to look at light and shade. Even now, art is like therapy for me.

[DontCareWasMadeToCare]

I was taught English by a tiny little woman who was fierce as a bush and whose passion for her subject was infectious as Ebola

She wasn't called Mrs Anderson, was she? My English teacher was just like that and left a huge impression on me plus English is still my favourite subject!

[thighofrelief]

For me it's my Dad, the most amazing man. He's wise, patient, hilarious, kind and passionate about politics. He's been a raging Marxist, feminist and union leader since the 60s. I remember us collecting for the miners strike together and taking them food and clothes. He grew up in desperate poverty and 5 of his 8 siblings died of poverty/disease. He taught me to skip, sew, darn, knit and cook and I taught him to swim. He's 86 now and in hospital, we thought he would die yesterday but he is rallying. Fingers crossed.

[wecantallbeperfect]

I returned to education to do a degree at age 47. A wonderful lecturer had (and still does) the most profound effect on me. I'd been at home with four children for 27 years, DD3 has Aspergers. She taught me that it's fine to say no. Sounds easy I know, but I'd been unable to say no to anyone before 

She also made me see that for me, it wasn't about the qualification per se, it was about rediscovering who I am and moving forward. I always channel my inner Jenny when I have a wobble! 

What a great thread.

[Bluelady]

I was taught English by a tiny little woman who was fierce as a bush and whose passion for her subject was infectious as Ebola. To her I owe decades of pleasure in literature and grammar pedantry. I have no idea if she's still with us but she'll be part of me as long as I draw breath.

[Gottalovethesummer]

By first boyfriend's family. It made me realise what a normal family looked like. It gave me higher expectations about family life and what to expect from a husband.

My second boyfriend. We got together when I was 19 and he was a few years older. He was the father figure I never had. He guided me and was my rock for many years. I was too young to fully appreciate at the time but a lot of my values and the way I do things are thanks to him. We are still friends and I will always love him.

[orphanblack1]

My Nan. My mother really struggled to bond with me due to PND and my Nan gave me the love I was missing. Sadly she died when I was 11 which I’ve never really got over but she was the most loving caring woman in the world. She and my grandad didn’t have a pot to piss in but we’re so generous. She used to turn up to my school with a pillowcase full of chocolate for all the kids. She used to kick my grandad out of bed and I’d bunk in with her and she’d tell me stories about my dad, aunt and uncle from when they were small. So many fond fond memories of her. I once hid her fags under my great grandma (who was do-lally-tap) in the back bedroom and remember her tearing the house apart for her fags(!) which was quite hilarious. She smoked like a chimney! She also had long long talons (my thumb nails are just like hers which I love) and wore bright red lacquer (as she called it) and I was in awe of the machine she had to dry her nails. And her rollers!!!

I truly truly wish she was still here. I miss her every day. I suffered really badly with low self esteem all through teenage years and still massively struggle - think it would’ve been different if she’d been alive. She was my true angel.