Role models - do you have a significant one?

**kimmee** · 10-08-2004, 01:12 AM

In high School I went out with my brother's best friend - all the way throu college - I left him for Bob - the father of my children. I adored Jim - he was kind and good and very intelligent. What kept me with him though - was his mom. She was so different than mine. She had interest in me (us - her kids) and she wanted to be with us and teach us things. She tought me to become a dressmaker and do car interiors and take on any household project there is. She was born in Nottingham and they had no indoor plumbing and she taught me how resilient you can be. She was so important to me - and I stayed with Jim two extra years so I could be with her - she taught me to cook and clean house, and live passionately about things you believe in - my family doesn't even know that I had cancer or went on Prozac - Sheila took me. She was my friend and my mentor. And naturally when I thought I knew it all and had found my man - I walked away from the most influential woman in my life. I still try to touch base with Jim - mainly to inquire about his mom - but his wife doesn't want me invading and rightfully so . Sheila was certainly an inspiration for me.

**momof42003** · 10-08-2004, 03:48 AM

I would have to say that my parents.. My parents kept to their beliefs, no matter what. My mom was towards the end of terminal cancer, and BIL offered to get some marijuana for her and she said that she knew it would help, but she would not die with it in her system period. My dad, granted was a drunk, but he never hit or swore at my mom or us kids. He always told the people who were cruel, mean, abusive, or drug dealers, that even with him being an old man, give him just one reason to kick their #$$... And most people never crossed my dad or gave him reason to come looking for them...They took pride in their children, and let us make our mistakes, but they were always there for us when things didn't turn out well, and they never waivered on their convictions. I miss them both terribly still....My dad has been gone for one year this last August, and my mom 7 years this December... They were 67, and 50 respectively..CANCER for both.....

**PrairieRose** · 10-08-2004, 09:29 AM

My MIL is a great inspiration for me along with my own parents. My MIL raised 4 kids as a single woman with no child support at all. She has a can do attitude and has never ever made an excuse for anything that ever went wrong in her life. She is strong and determined. I really admire that in her.

**Goodwin17** · 10-08-2004, 11:17 PM

My mother has been my role model. She took great care of me as a single mother while she was in school. She showed me the importance of an education, and how valuable life is. She is the reason I learned about nursing and decided to be one. She's supported me throughout my college career.

**Missy** · 10-08-2004, 11:33 PM

My brother has always been my role model. even when we were young. he's younger than me by 3 years, but since the preteen years, he always "had it together". He's my hero, my champion. Enven if he is a bit silly sometimes. But what are brothers for??

**AmyMCGS** · 10-09-2004, 09:00 AM

My good friend at work has really become a role model for me in the last few years... and she'd be totally embarrassed if she knew I thought that. She's got a rough life-- four kids and a very sick husband to deal with, on top of a very stressful job. Her husband is a great guy, but he really can't do a whole lot to help her out due to his illness. They live on her income, and since she works with me in a nursing home I can assure you it's not a lot. She's probably most devoted Catholic I know~ it's the two of us against some management who find it funny to make fun of the Catholic church. (We've taken that issue to administration and all~ it's a lost cause.) She also struggles with her bills in order to send all four of her children to Catholic schools, because she firmly believes that's best for them. Through everything she goes through in life, she is still very faithful, and NEVER complains. She amazes me~ I wish I had her spirit and grace!

**gkp1031** · 10-09-2004, 09:08 PM

I'd have to say my parents are my role models. They have instilled such great values in me and have taught me many things that I will remember for the rest of my life. They've been married 35 years and are still in love and it shows, I hope Mike and I can be like them.