My father. He’s just a fine dude. Does a lot of things right, is never angry at anybody for too long, and just generally understands what’s important in life and why.

I’ll answer this question honestly, but I’ll first misinterpret the question.

I’ll change it to the person I most appreciated in life.

That person was my 6th grade teacher. She was a former catholic nun turned atheist. She was 70 years old when I had her as my teacher. She was quick with a ruler and quick with a lesson. She never actually hit any kid, but my lord, when she thwacked that long ass ruler on a table, we all paid attention. Critical thinking was her passion, emphasis on science and facts over rhetoric were her bywords.

I didn’t look up to her, I didn’t want to be her. But her lessons were paramount in shaping my life from thence to this.

Ms. Wrech, I still remember you.

When I travelled Myanmar many moons ago I met a catholic priest. He was in his 70s and worked 20 hours a day running an orphanage with zero funding from his church or government. I am not a man of religion, but that priest was the most impressive person I ever met. The way he kept his kindness and content despite all the poverty and suffering surrounding him gave me a new perspective.

I’m rather short. So I’d say: most people

Everyone disappoints in the end. I try to avoid looking up to people. Easier than dealing with the disappointment of realizing they’re flawed humans just like I am, just like everyone else is.

Robin Williams. Hewas an actor that helped make my childhood more bearable. With amazing movies full of wit and humor. I don’t have for a habit to care about strangers or celebrities but the day I learned he killed himself my world became a shade darker. And knowing he struggled in life like he did made him more relatable than ever.

I am no-frills for a lack of a better word when it comes to who I look up to, the five people being my second-oldest sibling, my grandfather, a couple of friends, and an author from another locality whose works I like. The last one is special to me though, I’m a VIP in her social circles and it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

My grampa wez, he built his house, and owned his own modest construction company, collected vintage sports cars (jag- e type) and bikes, and had an avery full of song birds as well as a beautiful garden and some farm animals, geese, goat’s and pigs.

He ate healthy, lived actively, had an unfettered love for my grandmother (she is a character too) wez died young, early 60s.

King Trent from Xanth 😂

fr though allmy parents were physically and emotionally abusive. School was a nightmare due to ND and the parents. There really weren’t any good adults in my life. I raised myself on books, pretty much. King Trent was my idealized role model, I read those books during a very formative time.

He was the most powerful guy in the land but he was kind and caring to every creature. When the people who are supposed to protect you are hurting you that kind of thing seems very wonderful.

The Xanth books haven’t held up very well at all, the author let a lot of pretty creepy misogyny in to his sci-fi in the way a lot of authors did back then.

But I still would hope that if King Trent met me he would be proud of me and say some super nice kingly shit. Then I would ask him to make me a woman (he could transform things) :)

My grandpa was always really interested in whatever I had going on, especially when I didn’t think it was worth celebrating. We spent a lot of time golfing together when I was a kid and he taught me a lot about staying calm and looking at me today vs yesterday instead of me vs where I wish I was.

Everybody we ran into seemed to really like being around him. We used to play with a lot of people we rolled up to on the golf course. I try my best to be someone people are happy to see; like they were for him.

I miss him but I carry so much of him inside I feel like I can still hear what he would say. I hope I can be as important to someone as he was to me.