Erin, I'm an only child, too! How wonderful we're sisters now!

Wow. Tough thread:

My grandfather - not to sell yourself short, and to seek out new experiences, not to get cornered into any one career. And to not forget your family history.

My Navy chief - for making me realize my potential, and literally kicking my ass to start realizing it.

Two UNC (Northern Colorado) professors: for challenging me and making learning and teaching exciting.

To many of my brothers, too many to name: Teaching me how to grow up and be a man, be a leader, and how to love something so deep, so real, for so long. That bleeding purple, green, and gold is literal.

My high school astronomy teacher - yeah, science is cool (except the math still sucks)

My wife - that being deaf is not a disability, rather, a gift (whenever our day care kids are being too rowdy). And, for never giving up, always fight - be strong, be brave, be persistent and things will pay off.

My kids - since I'm an only child (Erin and Silver - hey!), to see sibling rivalry in all it's beauty and ugliness. And, for the simple love of being young, with no worries.

My neighbors - for teaching me not to trust anyone, anytime, anywhere, without getting things in writing (see you in court, buddy! (long story - don't ask!)). And how even the most ignorant, arrogant, and underhanded of people can make an entire neighborhood miserable.

Yeah, for real. I think every person is a combination of influences from people and events, so it's really hard to pinpoint any in particular. I guess in my case it's a combination of inherited "nerves" and being told that I'm not good/smart/able enough to do [insert whatever it is here] and having every single thing that's wrong with me pointed out, and then all the people who told me just the opposite. My mixed-up family probably has a lot to do with it, too...I went from being the only child to the youngest child to the middle child, which was quite a trip. I think I'll go fix myself a drink now...