To ask who are the most inspirational people you've met (outside your immediate family)

[Ezlo]

Mine was my English teacher, Mr Hawkins. School was something I hated but I lived for Mr Hawkins' lessons. They were gentle and fun and safe. He was all those things too.

Also an ex-boss. She was one of the highest in the company but she had time for me and it was obvious she respected me. She always looked lovely and she was a strong believer in women's rights. Susan is her name. I've not seen her since I left that company but often think of her.

Funnily enough, also an old boss. Bags of energy, focused on creating a good working environment, supportive and empathetic. I believe she's still working aged almost 70.

A priest I knew, I still find him so inspiring.

My brother-in-law and wife went on honeymoon to Malawi where they found the guy fixing the loos in their hotel was actually a school headteacher who was trying to raise money after their treasurer had run off with the school funds.

BIL and wife dedicated themselves to fundraising for the school and have done so for nearly 2 decades now... I met the school head about 5 years ago and he was a truly amazing man, he gave everything to get kids educated. Tragically he was already then dying of the cancer that claimed him a year later. There were no oncologists in Malawi and despite DH's family helping him get treatment in South Africa it was too late. But I'm so glad I met him, he radiated positivity and will be remembered in the region for a very long time, his work will live on through the school.

I used to have a job where I met several people who had survived the Holocaust, including two who had been in Auschwitz. I only knew them all for a short time, but I remember being struck at how easy going, kind and considerate they were. One in particular was one of the kindest people I have ever met, and was just a lovely person to be around- I didn’t know about her past until I saw her in a documentary a couple of years after I had left.

It was a very small sample size, but I was in awe of them, and it was an honour to work with them.

My DH. He is the epitome of the man in the arena and I’m so bloody proud of him. Vomit-inducing I know.

Two people stand out.

First was my old French teacher. Only had her for a single term as she went off on maternity leave, but she left a hell of an impression on me. I had a horrid time at secondary school (crap comp with awful bullying), but she showed genuine care and compassion- literally the only teacher who did. I'm sure I'd have had better school/teenage years had she not left, but I enjoyed the time she was my teacher and for showing me that teachers could be kind and caring (even though few of the others were!). I met her randomly about 30 years later and it gave me pleasure to tell her I remembered her and her kindness that meant so much to me at the time.

Second was a history teacher - completely different kind of person, very much stiff upper lip kind - it wouldn't have surprised me had she been in the armed forces - she had that "air" about her, very upright, no nonsense, "Paddington hard stare" kind of attitude in the classroom. She stood for no nonsense at all - one stare and the trouble makers would calm down and shut up, It made lessons a pleasure as she just spent the time teaching rather than crowd control. She also had the ability to make even the most boring sections of history more interesting - lots of anecdotes, lots of jokey comments, etc which looking back helped us to remember things - you're more likely to remember a joke than some facts told in a boring fashion. She spent two years teaching us about the UK industrial revolution and it's a topic that's fascinated me ever since, and I've visited just about every train, mining, ship, iron, museum since - She really gave me a love of it all.

I had a very abusive childhood.

My step father was friendly with lots of high up people, and it was the 80s/90s so no point speaking up, my mother was also horrendous.

I was a bit of a dickhead as a result and a lot of parents hated me.

My friends mum, however, welcomed me into her home with open arms, I didn't even realise a lot of what she did at the time, but I do now.

I would call over before school and she always had excess breakfast that would go to waste if I didn't want it, or have accidently packed a lunch for her husband who didn't need it, she would give me clothes that she bought miles away and didn't have time to return, and when I would sleep over and she would run me a bubble bath and put a big fluffy towel on the heater for me. When I started my period she quietly put sanitary towels in my bag when I was there, and she always had leaflets for childline sitting out as well, there are dozens and dozens of things she did without really saying a word.

She just quietly got on with being a safe space for me without a song and dance, without embarrassing me, she was so subtle I was probably about 30 when I actually realised all she did.

Her kindness when I really needed it has absolutely inspired me to be a safe space for my kids and their friends (and occasionally others). I've had my kids friends come here for all sorts of things when they needed help, and I've always done my best to support them. Not only did she help me, but she's helped lots of others through me too.

She was an amazing woman.

I just saw it was outside of my family. Kris Akabusi in that case.

Someone I worked with many years ago who was an Auswitz survivor, and Nelson Mandela.

Lovely story @Echobelly

My Dad, he came from emotional abusive poverty, worked his socks off to do really well in business whilst still maintaining a high level of integrity. The most generous kind man who gave us the most lovely fun filled childhood and now a brilliant grandad to my 2 girls, with not a hint of bitterness for what he went through as a child. Used to mentor young people trying to get into his area of business, and judged people by their level of hard work and honesty rather than their background

Marcia. She took me under her wing 40 years ago, and thanks to her I excelled in my career. I wish I could find her to thank her

I was privileged to meet Zigi Shipper, who had been a child in Auschwitz. His story was extraordinary and harrowing, yet he had no bitterness. He was so interested in everyone else, kind and funny. He lived without hate, it didn't destroy him and I find that remarkable
.

What a special person that woman was, @YoungGunsHavingSomeFunCrazyLadiesKeepEmOnTheRun , I'm glad she was in your life.

Some wonderful people on here, what great stories.

@YoungGunsHavingSomeFunCrazyLadiesKeepEmOnTheRun
Your post of 19.46 today has moved me to tears. Genuinely.

What a lovely woman. I hope things improved for you. X

Mine is a woman I met in SA years ago, similar age to me. She was just so close to nature, so lacking in materialism, so kind, so selfless.

She’d drive for hours and hours in her clapped out old car then pull out a tent and sleep on a tiny piece of grass, not having eaten for hours. I remember she asked the ‘camp site’ 🤔 owner whether she could have some hot water to make tea. The woman politely refused and L graciously accepted that choice. the smile didn’t recede from her face.

Made me think long and hard about how I attached I was to creature comforts.

My A level teachers and the parents of my bf at school all of whom encouraged me in my studies so that I could qualify for my chosen university. My mother and step-father were toxic and berated my efforts even though I was a good student. I had low self-esteem as a consequence. I went to my chosen university and created my own life away from all the abuse. People can have a very positive impact on someone's life without realising it.

I'm in tears here remembering her too.

I'm gutted I never got a proper chance to thank her for all she did for me, although I attended her funeral some years back now and told her daughter (my old school friend) and even she didn't realise until I pointed it out, so her Mum never even discussed it with her. She was a true angel.

Life, unfortunately, for me got harder for a while, mostly my own doing, but now I have my home, my kids, my dogs and life is peaceful now, all I ever wanted. Thank you.

That is amazing. What a woman. I'm sorry you had such a shit childhood.

Are you still in touch with her now?

Unfortunately she died some years ago now, and I never got the chance to thank her properly, I'll forever regret that, but I hope somehow that she knew what a light she was when I was growing up.

I'm glad 💐

I've found several of my yoga teachers to be inspirational in that it's not just about, poses, meditation and breathing but a whole attitude towards life - letting go of dead weight, that which no longer serves you.

The CEO of my company. Who was American and crashed and burnt...he told the truth. And the stock market didn't understand it. He tried to build a whole new culture in the oldest company in the world and management didn't like it...he got the boot after 18 months.

But I knew that my honesty was integrity. I eventually got redundancy too...but I never sold out. Told everyone what I was thinking, even though I knew they wouldn't like it. Fuck em. I'm still able to shave in the morning and look myself in the eye.

What a wonderful warm-hearted woman she was. She must've been so perceptive, altruism and caring.