Describe a man who has positively impacted your life. – A thought-provoking question from the Daily Writing prompt today.

That is hard for me to answer with just one man. I’m guessing a lot of the answers will be a person’s father. Mine passed when I was young and that greatly impacted my life, unfortunately I have few scant positive memories of us together. But in terms of positive impact in most of my life I remember, it’s been a great number of men who impacted me.

I had a young man who was participating in the Big Brother program, and he got paired with me for a short time when I was 11. But that short relationship spurred my lifelong interest in the University of Maryland Basketball program when he took me to a few games of the school he graduated from.

Next I’ll jump to my father-in-law. He always treated me like one of his son’s and I felt that support, love and watchful eye.

Of course, some of my best and lifelong friends. Ones who keep my spirits up with laughter and insights. Ones that make difficult times better by their support. Ones who share sage advice or perspectives that help you with decisions. Ones that have brought some of the best times and adventures.

Professionally I lived between two men who were great positive influence in my career at one point. Both were incredibly brilliant and dedicated. One was about as laid back as a Grateful Dead fan and the other was a hardnosed former Marine. They pushed and taught and mentored and hammered me and I had a great time working for both. They pushed me harder professionally than at any point in my life.

There was another man early in my career that taught me Newspapers could be a good career. That knowledge is important and powerful. At the same time, he showed me how to be responsible with it. And do the right thing. To give credit where credit is due. That being stronger as a team was better.

My son has positively impacted my life. And being he is a man now and has been for some time, so he certainly qualifies as a positive force. He’s honest with me. He loves me. He shares his family with me. He supports me. He enjoys the same sports as me. I haven’t swayed him into my passion for cars or the arts yet, but I still have time. I’m glad to say he is a better man than his father.

It’s always good to have someone show you the Ropes in Life. People who are honest with you, share with you, respect you, are there for you, and have your best interest at heart are true men.

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