Ever have someone say something so profound to you that....

[Brad Russ]

It touched your life forever. I've found that people's words are so powerful, and that everything we say in life can have a huge impact on others. Here are a few moments in my life where people said something so profound to me that it literally changed my life.

I have a good buddy named Preston. He is 61 years old, and served two tours in Vietnam, and even has a purple heart. To give you an idea of how great this guy is, I've known him for about 7 years, and it wasn't until 2 weeks ago that I found out he had a purple heart. These days he spends most of his time in his garage drinking beer, and watching his five tv's which either has sports, or fox news on. Every Wednesday I go down to his garage, have a few beers with him as we watch all the games, and talk sports and politics.

Anyway, a couple years ago he said something to me that to this day gets me choked up. At the time he was going through some serious problems. His wife had kicked him out of the house, and for the next year he lived in his van. He even caught pnemonia at one point as the cold Winter in his van really made him sick. Anyway he came over to my house one day. For the first time in the time I knew him, he began to cry as he talked. He looked me in the eye and said to me, you've got to come down to visit me sometime, you are like a second son to me. I was so touched I just about lost it, and I got up and gave him a big hug. Then he went on to say that he related to me, and said him and I really aren't that much different, and that he understood my mental problems, and he said you've been through a war of your own, it may be a different kind of war, but you've gone through a war with your mind. The reason this touched me so much is because here's a guy who has been to Vietnam for a number of years, was shot in the face, had numerous friends die in combat, has a father who has written several books that you can find on Ebay, and who is also a famous classical musician, and who has a son who played in the major leagues, and a guy like that told me that he respected me, and that I was like a second son. If that isn't a compliment, I don't know what is. I love that guy man!!!

Another moment in my life that I'll never forget was the time I got complimented by pro wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper. Piper is one of my three all time favorite wrestlers, and one week he was on the late Buddy Roses radio show. I was a regular caller, and even became friends with Buddy, and I miss him terribly. Anyway, a week earlier I had answered a trivia question on his show, and won some wrestling tapes and a large pizza. The next week I went down to the radio station to pick them up. When I got there, to my surprise Rowdy Piper was in the studio as a guest. During a break Buddy introduced me to Rowdy, and he was the only star I ever met that I was ever actually star struck over. He asked me if I wanted to go on the air for a segment and I figured hey, I call in every week, how would this be any different. For the next 20 minutes me, Buddy, and Piper talked wrestling, and Piper basically was interviewing me, and I had the time of my life. He was such a great guy, and I got the chance to thank him for the memories, and share my favorite Piper moments with him. After the segment I went to shake his hand, and he gave me a big hug. I was on cloud 9 as I got into my car and turned on the radio. When they were back on the air Piper was quiet and Buddy mentioned me, and Piper said that was a real deal good kid, I'm so touched and don't even know what to say. He sounded like he was holding back tears, and he was pretty quiet for the next 10 minutes. Best part is I had my brother record the show, so to this day I still have the tape. I haven't listened to it in years, but I know it's there and will have it forever.

I have a couple more moments that really have had an impact on me, but I will share them later. Right now I would love to hear some moments where people said something to all of you which really touched your heart. I love these kinds of stories!!

[Pitooey]

This changed my life so extremely I never forgot it.

Growing up my own mother put me down. All the time...... I was so far down that when I got a new job at the age of 23 I was speaking to a co-worker about some things and I told her in a way that I wasn't any good.

Well................... My co-worker told me "You are not that way" You are a good person and a fine young lady. That was the 1st time in my life that someone did not put me down and made me feel ugly. I believed what this co-worker told me and I was able to see life differently. She was the light of my life. I never forgot her for she had lifted me up.

[Liza]

Not so much of a personal level, but on a professional one: One of my mother's friends gave me the best advice I ever had about a career. I was feeling frustrated because I'd been out of college for months and was working at a job that was way beneath my education and skills. She told me that I should stick to it, and not be brought down just because I'm working with people who never finished highschool. She told me I'm bright and driven, and the others will eventually hit a glass ceiling while I can keep moving up. I took that advice to heart and worked my butt off as a bank teller, then moved up to a Head Teller, then a Corporate Trainer. I certainly never would have gotten to this point in my career without that advice.