Both of my grandfathers were good guys. They were generous and thoughtful, and incredibly hard workers. We were close. My paternal grandfather taught me how to draw and my maternal grandfather barely spoke any English at all, but we spent a lot of time together. He was kind of mean from a little kid’s perspective, but I loved him very much. All in all I’d say they were both a positive influence on my life.
My uncles are all alcoholics. They are a positive influence on my life because I am conscious of my drinking habits, because I dread becoming an alcoholic, myself. And they’re assholes. I also strive not to be an asshole.
My dad is pretty awesome. He is brilliant and funny and hard working and generous and sincere. He is very strict, as a parent, which means that we butted heads a lot when I was a teenager. I got over it, though, as most teens do. Without a doubt he has been a positive role model for me. I feel like I get most of my personality from my dad, but also that what I’ve adopted from my father are mostly good, positive traits. The only negative thing that I feel I’ve gotten from my father stems from his obsession with money and saving and never being poor. Except, somehow it seems to have translated to me as an obsession with avoiding most things that involve money. I’m borderline afraid of money.
All in all, lots of positive experiences. :)