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My Mentor. She is a powerful preacher. She is kind and thoughtful. She genuinely cares about people. She puts the ministry above her own needs. She is the reason that I obtained my Bachelor's degree. She encouraged me even when I wanted to give up or be slack. She continues to push me to do better. She stated that "One thing about education, no one can take it from you." I love her for just continuing to support me and for always telling me the truth. She continues to impact my life positively and represents greatness for me as an adult. |
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My father. We never really had a relationship. Most of our interactions were negative, but he still had an impact on my life. He taught me what I did not want. Today his influence continues to impact my life because I have a desire to be better. I am very grateful that he was in my life. |
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My father-in-law was quiet always willing to help others, put others needs before himself and his family, very loving and caring. This person represented the father figure in my life. He truly exemplified unconditional love when it came to people. Though he is deceased he continues to impact my life. I often reflect or think what he would do in certain situations and the answer would always be to give. |
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My husband, my best friend. We met for the first time in 1986. He is a comedian. Sometimes quiet. He taught me how to have respect for myself and others. He cared for me and has always been there to support me in my endeavors. Through his support and friendship I can continue to pursue other career goals. He continues to impact my life and always encourages me. |
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My aunt is the family comedian. My mom is from a family of seven, she being the oldest. This is my favorite aunt who is the second oldest. She and her family represented stability in a marriage. She worked very hard and is very good with her hands. She along with her husband built their first home in which they still occupy today. She made me feel apart of a big family. Her influence still impacts my life today because what she had in marriage is what I wanted someday and today I have a family and have been married for twenty-one years. |
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My sister is very outgoing. She is ten years younger than I, but she taught me to be responsible, not to be selfish. She made me feel needed. She continues to impact my life today because I am responsible and I try to put the needs of others above myself. |
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My mom is very quiet but powerful. She represents stability in my life, taught me to be a hard worker. She provided care, love, nurture, and supported all of my extra-curricular activities. She also introduced me to Christ. Her influences continues to impact my life today because I am a hardworker. Also, I am a caring nuturing mother to my son and very supportive of his extra-curricular activities and his education.
I am so grateful to these individuals that are a part of my life. Even those that are deceased continue to impact me as an adult. I would dare say that these are some of the individuals that made me who I am today.
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Carmen,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful family you have! Speaking of fathers, we relate a bit in that aspect. My father was and still is an alcoholic. His impact on my life mainly focused on how I do not want to be an alcoholic like him.
Thanks Chrissy. Even negativity affects our lives, but the impact that we allow that negativity to have on our lives is up to us.
ReplyDeleteCarmen you are so blessed to have so many important and inspiratain people in your life to support you and push you to do better. It was great to see you turn a negative situation into a positive.
ReplyDeleteCarmen, when I read your childhood web, I found it interesting what you had to say about your father. Your example shows that even negative influences can have a positive outcome. I find it interesting that you grew stronger and more determined because your father was not there for you. I was impressed to see how much influence your father had on you despite his absents.
ReplyDeleteCarmen, I love your post. It is so inspirational with so many beautiful pictures of your family. You touched on one thing that I can deeply relate about your father-in-law still having an impact despite the fact that he is deceased. I had an aunt that passed 15 years ago (couldn't find her picture for my blog) but I find myself relating to how she might handle a situation when I feel myself at a lost. Great posts, I look forward to reading many more.
ReplyDeleteCarmen,
ReplyDeleteJust like so many others have already said, I love that you used your father. Even though it was a negative in your childhood you have turned it into a positive. I feel that is a great technique to know how to do when working with "At-Risk" families. I really enjoyed the pictures of all the wonderful people who have influenced your life.
Hi Carmen,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing with us. I love your blog!
I can relate to your relationship with your father. So many times I would cry because I wanted to have a relationship with my father. It was an on/off relationship he had with my brother and me. But just as you said, I realized that he taught me what I didn't want.
Carmen
ReplyDeleteYou are blessed to have so many positive people in your life. I really like the comment you made about your father because I never knew my father up until recently and I never really knew the impact it had on me. However, I did eventually realize that it made me a stronger person. It also made me realize how important it was to keep a healthy relationship with my daughter's father, so that she wouldn't have grow up without a father. I must say that I do have a relationship with my father now. My half sister located me through a people search website three years ago and it was very nice to find out that he had been looking for me and that I have other beautiful siblings.