It has been a very long time from when I last engaged in this activity. And this will be the first time that I have done so on such an open forum. The activity is simple, think of some of the people that have impacted your life (for the better) and describe this impact. A word of warning to those who read this; There is no way that I will think of everyone who has impacted my life in this one sitting. If, as you read through this list of names you do not see your own, it does not mean that you are not appreciated. It only means that as I am human I am incapable of remembering or thinking of all things at this one time. There is also the possibility, dear reader, that you will not like the manner in which you have impacted my life. This is a brief summery of many people with whom I have had the fortune of knowing, I have no intention of describing a full history of each relationship I have had with every human being. I have other plans for my first published book.
Dad: I watched you for years. I watched you meet and overcome time and again both your personal demons and an endless barrage of trials and tribulation. I have watched you endure and I have seen you grow in both wisdom and compassion. I have learned from your example that no matter how bad things get all I have to do is continue to put one foot in front of the other.
Mom: In our home we have hanging a picture of a cat that has come upon a nest of birds. There is a short poem on that picture that reads, “He who would live in peace and ease must not speak all he knows or judge all he sees.” I did not understand that quote as a child but your example has burned its message into me. I have learned from you how to accept others without judgment.
Alex: When we were living in Michigan I did not know that it was possible to climb to the top of a tree until after I saw you do it. You continued to do things thoughout our lives that I would not have guessed possible and from this I learned to push myself beyond my limits.
Beth: Sis you survived living in a house full of boys. You were one badass chick. I suspect you still are, as you seem to continue to live in a house full of boys. I love you sis and think of you often.
Little John: I don’t know how you do it but you manage to be cool no matter where you are or what you are doing. Like seriously I’m sure you even manage to make changing diapers look cool.
Darran: You may not remember this, but I remember when you helped drop me off at the airport.
Greg: Dude thanks to you I got Steph to be my wife. She liked you so she decided to keep hanging out with me. Rock-on little man.
David: I regret that I don’t know you that well brother. Shortly after you were born I left home and have had very little opportunity to return. I hear good things about you and I hope that one-day soon you and I will be able to sit down and learn of one another.
5, 6, and 7 of 7. Mom often tells me stories of your adventures, and I look forward to seeing the kinds of men you will become and changes you will make in the world around you.
Bob: Many do not know that my uncle Bob could run faster then me. I used to go out running every day and sprint as hard and as fast as I could just so that I could be as fast as my uncle.
Grandpa Herrington: You taught me to slurp my spaghetti and to cut triangles into my pancakes to eat them. I think of you every time I show my boys the correct way to eat those two things.
Grandma Herrington: To this day my favorite flower is also the Iris. I remember when I was young (under eight) you told me that Herringtons never quit. I believed you and to this day I have never quit on a project just because it got hard.
Grandma Grier: Never actually met you, but you seemed to have taught Mom a thing or two that I am sure she passed on to me. Thanks.
Daryl & Chad Sorry for putting you guys on the same line but I realized I was saying the same thing about both of you. You both did a remarkable job in a very difficult calling. The young men of the Brazil branch were a group of youth who had not been raised in the church. I will always be thankful that the two of you stepped up to the challenge and helped prepare us for the Melchizedek priesthood. In addition: Daryl my wife is very grateful that your first lesson to us was “How to get the girl you want”. Chad your lesson that had us throwing stones into the woods had such an impact on me that I even wrote a song about it. Now that I am serving in the young men’s presidency I fully plan on passing on both lessons.
Cindy: You were always quick with a compliment and such things were very important to a young man.
Angie Egloff: In your class I found a place in which I was accepted for who I was, instead of mocked and ridiculed for my disabilities. Thank you for your patience. During that time of my life I was in far greater need of the friendship and examples of charity you demonstrated than for any other knowledge contained in the teachers manual. I do remember who live in er and who had no children however.
Mike Egloff: I did not get a great chance to know you as an individual when I was growing up, but thanks to your Faith and sacrifice there will be a vast number of Australians who have and will join Christ’s church.
Mike Egloff: (The younger) I do not remember how we first became friends. I however will always remember the courage you gave me with such a simple hug on the night that I was set apart as a Missionary. Even now I cannot help but cry when I think of the experience. During the course of the mission whenever I grew weary of felt despair I could bolster my confidence with a thought of the young boy who had demonstrated such faith and love in me.
Garber’s: Jimmy I hope that some day I am able to develop in myself even a fraction of the passion that you seem to have for life. Linda I will always remember the simple way in which you served as the ward pianist. Even with such a remarkable gift you were always humble. Whenever I find myself growing prideful in my talents or achievements I remember the example you set for me, and in doing so I am able to rein in my pride.
Cali: Did you know that my Spell Check does not like your name? I will forever remember the story your mother told of you standing up in class and defiantly defending your Faith and your Religion. Throughout our youth you often said what needed saying with little regard for your popularity or social status afterwards. To me you were a modern day Esther. I often regret that I never took the time to get to know you better.
Shiloh: Thank you for listening to what I had to say, but never ever buying into my endless garbage. You helped me learn and practice talking to women. A skill that has been of incalculable value to me in the recent years.
Jenny Cook: You once asked me, “If all the things you are, were to be wrapped up into one tangible object, what would it be?” It took many years, yet I am happy to report that I have found that object. From our Friendship I gained a measure of self-definition that has bolstered me through many of my quixotic quests.
Ann: I think every young teen should be lucky and have an adult friend who is young enough to still remember what it's like and old enough to provide good advice. For me you were that person. Thank you.
Jeremy: I remember one night when we had some kind of activity at church involving dancing. For a youth such as I, who was painfully shy around young women, it was a cruelty for others to insist that I participate. Shortly after I fled the building in complete panic and shame, you ventured out to find me. I do not remember if I regained the needed courage to return to the activity, but I will always remember the kindness and empathy that you shared with me.
Kendra: You have the honored distinction of being the first person who ever asked me out on a date. If I remember correctly four of us went out to see Stargate in the movie theater. Every time I catch an episode of the follow up series on television I can’t help but smile and think of you. I’m sorry I never returned the favor, but honestly as you were a hair older then I, I was always just a little intimidated to ask you out.
Patrick: Mate you were there for me at a time when I thought myself alone and friendless. Thank you for pulling me out of my self-pity, and giving me my first cool nickname.
John L: Shortly after we first met another youth (whose identity I will not disclose as I think he may have turned out to be a good man) warned you that associating with me would ruin your social status at school. I remember you looking him dead in the eye, calling him by name and responding “You're wrong.” I have always been impressed with your ability to stand on your own, away from popular social ideas.
Rodney: Brother you were always the heart of our small group of friends. No matter how dire a situation may seem you always had a joke ready to lift our spirits. To this day I love your sense of humor
John J. You once dubbed our little group as social Chameleons. I was always impressed with you self-confidence and ability to talk to anyone. By our senior year I think it was a skill that all in our little click developed but man you were the master even at a young age.
Shane: In the mission field I learned a term, Quiet dignity. I don’t know where you learned it but you had it. You often went about your day with a quiet unassuming composure that I both envied and respected.
Dustin: Oh my gosh man you read the book of Mormon in like a few weeks, and then asked to be baptized. I will always remember how on fire you were!
Corey: “Hey chummer you’re standing on my sandwich.” You were my first church friend and you were a great example to me when I was trying to figure out how a Mormon should act.
Brad: I cannot help but be impressed by a young man who learns of the church and then sets out to become a member. I know you have had a difficult time, but you continue to pick yourself up and keep the faith.
Mike B. I grew up in a home that permitted me to roam and adventure in a huge block of forestland. I was devastated when in sixth grade my family moved into a town (Rockville) Thank you so much for being my friend and helping me adjust to my new home.
Curtis Koch: Dad thanks for training me. You did an excellent jab as a trainer, and I attempted to be as diligent as you during the course of my mission.
Ben Cluff: I have to say man, I loved working with you. You are a good friend and you were an excellent mission companion.
Marcus Eley: When we first met I had no idea what in the hell I was doing. I’m still not sure why Pres thought I was ready to train. You knew that and still you listened to me and permitted me to think I was charge. The lessons I learned while you patiently followed my directions have taught me a great deal about leadership. Thank you for not kicking my ass even though I am rather sure I deserved it.
Dot: I spent a great deal of time looking for you. You were so in touch with the spirit of God that you instead found us. Thank you for taking care of a handful of young men who were learning to live without their mothers.
Mike West: You served with me during a very difficult time in my life. Even though I was supposed to be training you, your optimism and determination helped me keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Elder Moe: I remember well listening to you share your testimony before you completed your mission and returned home. I learned a great deal from the tears you shared, the love you expressed for our savior and his work, and regret at having to leave.
Dr. Conway, and Dr. Butts: Thank you for getting me hooked on psychology. I always looked forward to your lectures.
Matt Draper: When I met you I had no idea what I was going to do with a BS in psychology. Thank you for being a mentor. Your counsel was essential at helping me figure out what to do with all the B.S. an education was filling my mind with.
Dr. Murdock: Yea you get a place in my list because you were my favorite professor during grad school.
Valincia: I loved working with you. Your abrasive and no nonsense style helped me learn to trust myself. As a side note I no longer flinch when someone drops the F-bomb in my direction.
Brazil Branch Presidents: Thank you for inspiring me before I served a mission and keeping me out of trouble once I returned home. Seriously I know you were trying to keep me busy but what twenty-one year old needs three time extensive callings plus a home teaching route.
Brazil Branch: The Lord has told us that we are to endure to the end. That always seemed like a long time to me so I measured the time that I needed to endure by the number of days I would have to go before returning to those who loved me. Every Sunday evening I would say to myself “I can survive the two or three days till mutual”. And every night after mutual I would say to myself “I can survive the three or four days till Church.” Thus I survived many years of Hell in school.
Stephanie: I am a selfish self-righteous ass. Yet you love me anyways. You put up with my brooding, my temper and my boorish monologues about the evils of our society. Over the last ten years whenever I started to drag my feet or wallow in my own self-pity you have always been there to yank me up by my short hairs and get me moving again. I always knew that I wanted to marry a hardheaded woman. All at once you both inspire and drive me as equal parts carrot and stick. Thank you for allowing me to be your husband.
Benjamin and Logan: Boys you make me laugh. You give me hope. And provide for me a purpose to do whatever I can to kick the adversaries ass.
‘S Rioghal Mo Dhream
William E Herrington
Dad: I watched you for years. I watched you meet and overcome time and again both your personal demons and an endless barrage of trials and tribulation. I have watched you endure and I have seen you grow in both wisdom and compassion. I have learned from your example that no matter how bad things get all I have to do is continue to put one foot in front of the other.
Mom: In our home we have hanging a picture of a cat that has come upon a nest of birds. There is a short poem on that picture that reads, “He who would live in peace and ease must not speak all he knows or judge all he sees.” I did not understand that quote as a child but your example has burned its message into me. I have learned from you how to accept others without judgment.
Alex: When we were living in Michigan I did not know that it was possible to climb to the top of a tree until after I saw you do it. You continued to do things thoughout our lives that I would not have guessed possible and from this I learned to push myself beyond my limits.
Beth: Sis you survived living in a house full of boys. You were one badass chick. I suspect you still are, as you seem to continue to live in a house full of boys. I love you sis and think of you often.
Little John: I don’t know how you do it but you manage to be cool no matter where you are or what you are doing. Like seriously I’m sure you even manage to make changing diapers look cool.
Darran: You may not remember this, but I remember when you helped drop me off at the airport.
Greg: Dude thanks to you I got Steph to be my wife. She liked you so she decided to keep hanging out with me. Rock-on little man.
David: I regret that I don’t know you that well brother. Shortly after you were born I left home and have had very little opportunity to return. I hear good things about you and I hope that one-day soon you and I will be able to sit down and learn of one another.
5, 6, and 7 of 7. Mom often tells me stories of your adventures, and I look forward to seeing the kinds of men you will become and changes you will make in the world around you.
Bob: Many do not know that my uncle Bob could run faster then me. I used to go out running every day and sprint as hard and as fast as I could just so that I could be as fast as my uncle.
Grandpa Herrington: You taught me to slurp my spaghetti and to cut triangles into my pancakes to eat them. I think of you every time I show my boys the correct way to eat those two things.
Grandma Herrington: To this day my favorite flower is also the Iris. I remember when I was young (under eight) you told me that Herringtons never quit. I believed you and to this day I have never quit on a project just because it got hard.
Grandma Grier: Never actually met you, but you seemed to have taught Mom a thing or two that I am sure she passed on to me. Thanks.
Daryl & Chad Sorry for putting you guys on the same line but I realized I was saying the same thing about both of you. You both did a remarkable job in a very difficult calling. The young men of the Brazil branch were a group of youth who had not been raised in the church. I will always be thankful that the two of you stepped up to the challenge and helped prepare us for the Melchizedek priesthood. In addition: Daryl my wife is very grateful that your first lesson to us was “How to get the girl you want”. Chad your lesson that had us throwing stones into the woods had such an impact on me that I even wrote a song about it. Now that I am serving in the young men’s presidency I fully plan on passing on both lessons.
Cindy: You were always quick with a compliment and such things were very important to a young man.
Angie Egloff: In your class I found a place in which I was accepted for who I was, instead of mocked and ridiculed for my disabilities. Thank you for your patience. During that time of my life I was in far greater need of the friendship and examples of charity you demonstrated than for any other knowledge contained in the teachers manual. I do remember who live in er and who had no children however.
Mike Egloff: I did not get a great chance to know you as an individual when I was growing up, but thanks to your Faith and sacrifice there will be a vast number of Australians who have and will join Christ’s church.
Mike Egloff: (The younger) I do not remember how we first became friends. I however will always remember the courage you gave me with such a simple hug on the night that I was set apart as a Missionary. Even now I cannot help but cry when I think of the experience. During the course of the mission whenever I grew weary of felt despair I could bolster my confidence with a thought of the young boy who had demonstrated such faith and love in me.
Garber’s: Jimmy I hope that some day I am able to develop in myself even a fraction of the passion that you seem to have for life. Linda I will always remember the simple way in which you served as the ward pianist. Even with such a remarkable gift you were always humble. Whenever I find myself growing prideful in my talents or achievements I remember the example you set for me, and in doing so I am able to rein in my pride.
Cali: Did you know that my Spell Check does not like your name? I will forever remember the story your mother told of you standing up in class and defiantly defending your Faith and your Religion. Throughout our youth you often said what needed saying with little regard for your popularity or social status afterwards. To me you were a modern day Esther. I often regret that I never took the time to get to know you better.
Shiloh: Thank you for listening to what I had to say, but never ever buying into my endless garbage. You helped me learn and practice talking to women. A skill that has been of incalculable value to me in the recent years.
Jenny Cook: You once asked me, “If all the things you are, were to be wrapped up into one tangible object, what would it be?” It took many years, yet I am happy to report that I have found that object. From our Friendship I gained a measure of self-definition that has bolstered me through many of my quixotic quests.
Ann: I think every young teen should be lucky and have an adult friend who is young enough to still remember what it's like and old enough to provide good advice. For me you were that person. Thank you.
Jeremy: I remember one night when we had some kind of activity at church involving dancing. For a youth such as I, who was painfully shy around young women, it was a cruelty for others to insist that I participate. Shortly after I fled the building in complete panic and shame, you ventured out to find me. I do not remember if I regained the needed courage to return to the activity, but I will always remember the kindness and empathy that you shared with me.
Kendra: You have the honored distinction of being the first person who ever asked me out on a date. If I remember correctly four of us went out to see Stargate in the movie theater. Every time I catch an episode of the follow up series on television I can’t help but smile and think of you. I’m sorry I never returned the favor, but honestly as you were a hair older then I, I was always just a little intimidated to ask you out.
Patrick: Mate you were there for me at a time when I thought myself alone and friendless. Thank you for pulling me out of my self-pity, and giving me my first cool nickname.
John L: Shortly after we first met another youth (whose identity I will not disclose as I think he may have turned out to be a good man) warned you that associating with me would ruin your social status at school. I remember you looking him dead in the eye, calling him by name and responding “You're wrong.” I have always been impressed with your ability to stand on your own, away from popular social ideas.
Rodney: Brother you were always the heart of our small group of friends. No matter how dire a situation may seem you always had a joke ready to lift our spirits. To this day I love your sense of humor
John J. You once dubbed our little group as social Chameleons. I was always impressed with you self-confidence and ability to talk to anyone. By our senior year I think it was a skill that all in our little click developed but man you were the master even at a young age.
Shane: In the mission field I learned a term, Quiet dignity. I don’t know where you learned it but you had it. You often went about your day with a quiet unassuming composure that I both envied and respected.
Dustin: Oh my gosh man you read the book of Mormon in like a few weeks, and then asked to be baptized. I will always remember how on fire you were!
Corey: “Hey chummer you’re standing on my sandwich.” You were my first church friend and you were a great example to me when I was trying to figure out how a Mormon should act.
Brad: I cannot help but be impressed by a young man who learns of the church and then sets out to become a member. I know you have had a difficult time, but you continue to pick yourself up and keep the faith.
Mike B. I grew up in a home that permitted me to roam and adventure in a huge block of forestland. I was devastated when in sixth grade my family moved into a town (Rockville) Thank you so much for being my friend and helping me adjust to my new home.
Curtis Koch: Dad thanks for training me. You did an excellent jab as a trainer, and I attempted to be as diligent as you during the course of my mission.
Ben Cluff: I have to say man, I loved working with you. You are a good friend and you were an excellent mission companion.
Marcus Eley: When we first met I had no idea what in the hell I was doing. I’m still not sure why Pres thought I was ready to train. You knew that and still you listened to me and permitted me to think I was charge. The lessons I learned while you patiently followed my directions have taught me a great deal about leadership. Thank you for not kicking my ass even though I am rather sure I deserved it.
Dot: I spent a great deal of time looking for you. You were so in touch with the spirit of God that you instead found us. Thank you for taking care of a handful of young men who were learning to live without their mothers.
Mike West: You served with me during a very difficult time in my life. Even though I was supposed to be training you, your optimism and determination helped me keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Elder Moe: I remember well listening to you share your testimony before you completed your mission and returned home. I learned a great deal from the tears you shared, the love you expressed for our savior and his work, and regret at having to leave.
Dr. Conway, and Dr. Butts: Thank you for getting me hooked on psychology. I always looked forward to your lectures.
Matt Draper: When I met you I had no idea what I was going to do with a BS in psychology. Thank you for being a mentor. Your counsel was essential at helping me figure out what to do with all the B.S. an education was filling my mind with.
Dr. Murdock: Yea you get a place in my list because you were my favorite professor during grad school.
Valincia: I loved working with you. Your abrasive and no nonsense style helped me learn to trust myself. As a side note I no longer flinch when someone drops the F-bomb in my direction.
Brazil Branch Presidents: Thank you for inspiring me before I served a mission and keeping me out of trouble once I returned home. Seriously I know you were trying to keep me busy but what twenty-one year old needs three time extensive callings plus a home teaching route.
Brazil Branch: The Lord has told us that we are to endure to the end. That always seemed like a long time to me so I measured the time that I needed to endure by the number of days I would have to go before returning to those who loved me. Every Sunday evening I would say to myself “I can survive the two or three days till mutual”. And every night after mutual I would say to myself “I can survive the three or four days till Church.” Thus I survived many years of Hell in school.
Stephanie: I am a selfish self-righteous ass. Yet you love me anyways. You put up with my brooding, my temper and my boorish monologues about the evils of our society. Over the last ten years whenever I started to drag my feet or wallow in my own self-pity you have always been there to yank me up by my short hairs and get me moving again. I always knew that I wanted to marry a hardheaded woman. All at once you both inspire and drive me as equal parts carrot and stick. Thank you for allowing me to be your husband.
Benjamin and Logan: Boys you make me laugh. You give me hope. And provide for me a purpose to do whatever I can to kick the adversaries ass.
‘S Rioghal Mo Dhream
William E Herrington
