There are people you come across in life that without even meaning to they can make a huge effect on how you see the world. I'm not talking about "great" historical people, I'm talking about people you know and interact with. You (I) are probably just a blip on the RADAR of their life, but they leave a lasting impression on you before your life paths diverge.
I have had a few of these people, but for some reason I've been thinking of a couple of them recently. I think it's because I've been doing some introspection after having to defend my political stances in conversation. The Presidential race is good for something, I guess. I've tried to find when my opinions changed and where they came from.
I grew up in a really small town in Western Kansas. I lived on a farm. I raised cattle and grew wheat. I grew up in a rather Catholic home and went to Catholic school. The entire place was very small minded, and so was I. By default I tried to believe things I was told. Being Gay is a sin, drugs are bad, get married and you'll be happy. There were no opposing view points in my environment.
At my core, I've been myself for a long time, but It's taken me the better part of my 31 years to like myself. There are days I'm not there yet. You know, whatever. Two women had such great influence on the person I am, and they probably have no idea. It's been 7 years since I've spoken to one and 15 the other. As a freshman in high school, I entered my debate class and was so excited to find that I was going to be in there with Jacquie. Jacquie is, to this day, the person who has shaped my personality more than anyone. The person she was is the person I still aspire to be. I only say was, because I haven't spoken to her for 15 years.
She had this demeanor, being above things without looking down at them. She was the smartest person I had known to that point. The mind she had as a sophomore in high school still rivals that of people I have met throughout college and adulthood. Never too good to talk to someone, although honest almost to the point of brutality somehow without being mean. She never gave a shit about the cliques and that made them all want her. Her quiet confidence is something that I've tried to emulate ever since. I'm loud and awkward though.
The second person who affected me on this level was my friend, Edith. We worked together at the BBV in Manhattan. I adore Edith for many of the same qualities I admired in Jacquie; Her unobtrusive confidence, and her general intellectuality. Coherent and articulate, Esther helped me politically. At this point I was in my 20s already and as a theatre brat had gotten over my general homophobia. I was getting over my republican background before I met Edith, but she made me so much more aware of the nuance of the world from feminism and general acceptance of people to the importance of reading the news on a daily basis.
I don't really know the meaning of this post except that I've been thinking of them these last few days... That's all I guess. Just remember, you can be influencing someone just by being you.
