The Most Influential Person In My Life
             I am here today to tell you about someone who is dear and special to me. You would probably imagine it would be either my mom or grandmother. No, it would be a wonderful, big, athletic, kind and influential person that has been a big part of my life, my Uncle Tommy.
             Generally when most people meet Uncle Tom, they think of a mean looking guy. That is not true in anyway at all. Tom stands at 6' 3", 240 pounds has light brown hair and hazel eyes. He is a very large guy. To add to his character he drives a 1998 silver T-top Camero. He may look like a strong man on the outside but on the inside he is like a big cuddly teddy bear. He is always there with a big hug for you and kind words.
             Growing up, I always wanted to be just like him. I wanted to be loved by everyone, awesome at sports and charming. Tommy lettered in all sports in high school and had many friends. He was basically my big brother and also my best friend. He meant the world to me. If I ever got in trouble (which never happened) I wanted "Tommy" which was how I referred to him.
             Every kid growing up has some sort of "special item" they carry around. Most children carried teddy bears around. Not me. I carried what I called Tommy's blanket. This treasured item went everywhere with me. It would not be what you would expect. It was a faded pinkish-white color and had little holes in it everywhere. It was an old blanket of his that he had given to me. It was special because he had given it to me and it was my safe haven so to speak.
             From my early toddler days Tommy had been there for me. When I was about four months old, he dressed me up in a black stocking cap, put thick, black sunglasses on me and put a cigarette in my mouth and then took pictures. Mom did not think it was funny, but looking back at the pictures does make me giggle. He also gave me my first hair cut. My mom had waited to cut my h...