10 Influences

Taken from this list, who are 10 people who have influenced me, and how?

1.   My mother - This is an expected response.  As you probably know, I didn't have a typical upbringing.  My mother suffers from anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.  In the thick of it, she struggled with heroin addiction, although she now only suffers from alcoholism.  However, I also see the bad experiences she's had which lead her to these poor decisions and struggles.  This experience I think influenced who I became and ultimately the career path I've followed.

2.  My father - Also expected.  My dad was classy - despite the drama going on with my mom, he never once spoke ill of her while we were children, and really most people would have.  He also gave me an appreciation for some of the finer things in life - music, theater, Shakespeare.  Without him, I wouldn't have been the awkward middle schooler reading Shakespeare and listening to classical music.

3.  My grandmother - During and after my mother's "rock bottom," my grandmother took us in so we wouldn't have to uproot our lives and live with our dad in another county.  She nurtured my piano and art talents, and is basically the reason why I have always wanted to learn how to oil paint.

4. Will - He introduced me to the gospel, which has inspired me to be better and brings me peace and joy into my life.

5.  The Bergins - They were senior missionaries at the Institute which was just across the street from my dorms in college.  They taught my class and I really came to learn about my savior in that class.  They were like my grandparents away from home.

6.  Mormon Paradise - Okay, this really includes like 5 people, but these girls helped me develop as I was newly coming into the church and was my first experience with having a gospel centered "family."  We prayed together, played together, and giggled together.  We had the infamous white board and held costumed Disney parties.  And ice cream meant something more exciting than just a delectable treat.

7.  Ernest - This is a foster youth I worked with during an internship, and I think that he can represent the many children and parents that I have worked with throughout my time at DCFS.  He tested and tried me.  However, I am persistent and I ended up having a good working rapport with this kid who initially scared me when I read his file (with his multiple placements, psychiatric issues, and anger management problems).  And I think he came to respect me even though I wasn't "cool."  It made me understand where people were coming from in terms of their experiences with their overall presentation and also threw me in the ringer for truly connecting with people who are in a very different world than you.

8.  Nathan - AKA the "Right-wing Wacko" This is an ex that I dated on and off for about two years.  He treated me terribly, resulting in my sense of self-worth being compromised.  Finally, I reached my point where I knew I had to walk away completely, and frankly had no desire or temptation to go back.  He taught me to trust my instincts and my patriarchal blessing.  The experience taught me what was really important in a man and in relationships (and it wasn't what is on paper).

9.  Teeka - She was one of my supervisors during my second year internship.  She was an experienced therapist but over-extended herself and was burned out.  As a result, she was not very present during supervision.  I think because I did not get the best supervision, it discouraged me from being a therapist which I think may have ultimately been the best result for me.

10.  Jesus.  Because how can you have a list of people who influenced you without including the man that gave His all for you, and whose attributes you wish to emulate?