As I was driving to work this morning, someone on the radio invited the listeners to think about the people who had been remarkable in their lives - what they did in special, and what we were doing today that could influence others.
Of course, a big part of who I am is influenced by my parents: my father's persistence, hard- working, honesty; my mother's love to read, her searching for excellence. I am sure most of us reflect our parents’ characteristics.
I can remember, also, several other people that made impact in my life.
One of them was this man. I was 17, at my first job, where, among my duties I had to manage my boss finances (I had no experience - I got the job based on the references given by the accounting school where I had studied). My boss used to take loans (a lot), and when it was time to do the payments, he would send me to negotiate extended time.
At one of the bank agencies, I met this man, who wasn’t the regular manager. He was an external auditor who was there temporarily, because there had been a robbery. As he was in the manager's chair, I asked him for more time to pay the debt. After I gave him several reasons and excuses, he agreed to 30 more days. After the month past, my boss sent me again, because, as always, he had no conditions to pay the debt. I took courage, sat in front of the same man, and asked him for more time. He looked severely, and said "no". I gave him my speech, he repeated: "no". Then, he continued doing whatever he was doing before.
After some time, he looked at me and asked what I was doing there yet. I was very much afraid of him, but I was more afraid of returning and face my boss with the "no", so, I answered I couldn't leave without him telling me he would agree with the extended time. He paused and then said he would concede the time, but it was for me not to return there at the expiration time.
Some weeks later, my mother heard the same bank was in needy of employees. It was my dream to work in a bank, so, there I went to talk to the man again, this time to ask for a job. There would be a test, so I got the opportunity to apply for a post. He was peculiar in how to give me the test results. One day, as I left the bank, after doing my daily deposit, the watchman raced after me at the street, asking me to return. I sat in front of him and he asked me how many days each month of the year had. I didn't understand anything, but I answered. Then he told me I had been selected, as I had gotten the best results at the test among 23 others, so I could start working there the following week.
He stayed there just for few months, after what I never saw him again. But, during all the many years that have past, I have never forgotten the experience and how it marked my life.