40 Most Influential People in My Life

Here is the list of the 40 most influential people in my life and the abbreviated reasons why. I started out limiting the explanations to 15-20 words and then later gave up on that because it was too tough! These names appear in no particular order and I really hope I haven't missed anyone!

1. My Mom- because she taught me everything that I know. She is my oldest and dearest friend.
2. Grandma – She showed me how to be a woman of substance, how to sing and how to love deeply. She instilled a sense of family in me at a very young age, but was taken from us way too soon!
3. My cousin Donnie – So many of my childhood memories would be gone without him. I love his words of wisdom to this day!
4. My cousin Adam – Taught me the value of being challenged and being able to rise to challenge. Many afternoons of laughter happened because of his creative genius.
5. Brandy L.– My first friend, my best friend for most of my childhood. Simply a beautiful person inside and out.
6. Adrienne H.– As a child she was wise beyond her years. Through her friendship, she showed me we are all the same inside. A message that has served me well, all of my life.
7. MB - Marybeth (MB ) was the school librarian. She recognized my love of reading and always let me check out more books than I should.
8. Anita – A Godly woman and wonderful role model who always had her Father’s eyes! She took time to know me as a child and loved with her whole heart.
9. Jamie R. – My HS best friend who was the center of my whole world for a while. Later when I discovered I am the center of my world, she was there waiting.
10. Anne - She brought my imagination to life and introduced me to the world of travel. While our promised travels never happened...I carry a piece of her with me on my own adventures.
11. Aimee – The best friend I always wanted/needed – so many of my amazing memories would be gone without her. Our shared experiences makes this one of the strongest relationships in my life.
12. Holly C. (Ethel) – My sunshine who can make any day brighter just by breezing in. We can go for months without talking and then just pick up where we left off. Everything has always been effortless!
13. Holly C - From the moment we became friends in middle school, Holly has made me laugh uncontrollably. And now we've gone from sleep overs to home buying, with ease. Ours was an easy friendship to rekindle after years many away!
14. Jen – She made every day fun and magical. She had an ease and charisma about her that was irresistible. We shared a sisterly bond I always felt I lacked and she brought so much fun to my life!
15. Dawn – My KD Big Sis. She showed me the ropes and cracked my shell. Dawn was the first person to ever call me beautiful!
16. Karen - My first KD Little Sis - to sum it up succinctly, knowing Karen has made me a better person. She loves me unconditionally and that is a rare find in a friend.
17. Emily - My fourth charm, another friendship where during its heyday it was nothing short of magical. She needed me and then she needed me to give her wings and let her go. So I did.
18. Heather E. - My sister woman - with one of the most tender hearts I have ever known. During one of the most difficult times in my life, she was there. For a while we lost touch, but now I look forward to us re-learning each other.
19. Holly Jo - From her I learned that a guarded heart does not make you a stronger person. But when I needed to feel safe, she was there. Sometimes her methods were questionable, but I will always believe her motives were pure.
20. Sherry G.– Our friendship was instantaneous and lasting. What started out as my first “grown-up friendship” had blessed me with one of the dearest people I know!
21. Nikki - She inspires me to move beyond my circumstances and rise to the challenges in my path. Plus she is hands-down one of my favorite people to spend time with!
22. Vivian - She taught me that sometimes if you move past your first impressions and take a chance, a beautiful and special friendship will emerge.
23. Angie - We had a wonderful friendship with lots of love and laughter. Very much the friend who left footprints on my heart that will never fade.
24. Chris - She is so inspiring with her passions. She took me under her wing and bossed me around a lot. But there is no one like her, that's for sure!
25. Kim H.- Her kind and gentle ways always made me want to be more like her. She speaks kind words about everyone and is one of the most gracious women I have ever known.
26. Aunt Lynne - I remember being so excited when she became part of our family. She loves me even when I am ugly and "gets me." I love that about her!
27. My Dad - It took a while for us to understand each other and even longer to become Daddy's Little Girl, but his influence and love in my life are indispensable and overwhelming.
28. My brother Doug - The first person I would have died for in my life. I would do anything to protect him and make no apologies. Mess with him and you mess with me...and believe me, you don't want that.
29. My Aunt Patty D. - She is the reason I am here. Without her my parents would have never got together. She was an amazing lady taken too soon. She loved with her whole heart and it broke so many hearts when we lost her.
30. Erin - She is the little sister, nature never gave me. A woman with great influence over my life in that without her one of the greatest gifts I have ever received would not be here...my niece.
31. Monica - my dad said he wanted a little girl just like her and while we may not be exactly alike, in so many ways we mirror each other. Our childhood rivalry has blossomed into a beautiful friendship that I could not imagine life without.
32. Kim - my cousin and my friend. Her quiet strength and tender heart inspires me to give selflessly and love endlessly. Everyone should have an influence like her in their lives.
33. Aunt Elaine - We share a special bond that is hard to put into words even for a writer like me. All I can say no one can pick on me like she does and never get to me, I guess because I know how much she loves me.
34. Whitney F. - my birthday twin. She loves me like an aunt and I have loved watching her grow into an amazing young lady. I also love the way she loves my kid!
35. Bob B. - our friendship is so incredibly special, genuine and pure. I love this man and think he is one of the kindest, most giving people on the earth. I am so blessed to have him in my life!
36. J. Ryan - love him like another little brother. I would move mountains for him, if I could. To hear this man sing is to hear angels!
37. Chad R. - a true Southern gentleman who helped me rediscover and tap into my down-home charms. There's no one else in the world who can make me laugh the way he can and get me into more trouble. So sweet and so special!
38. Pastor and Sister Heffler - Since these two are married, I am counting them as one (2 become 1) - these spiritual leaders made such an impact on my Christian walk, that I will be forever changed and empowered. They are a true gift from the Lord and there is not a Sunday that I don't miss being in service with them.
    And the last, but by all means not LEAST
39. Leah, my niece – When she was born, she changed my whole world for reasons even I can’t put into words. There is nothing I wouldn't do for her and I am ever so thankful for the bond we have shared since her birth.
40. My daughter, Jacinda – She is the first person I ever really gave my entire heart to. No one else has ever changed me, challenged me or loved me more. She is My Everything.