I never met my Opa - He died 7 years to the day before I was born (I was born 20/4/85 and he died 20/4/78) and even though I never met him, I feel he was always with me. My Oma never remarried, and I'm glad she didn't.
Also, I never met my nana (my granddads 1st wife - and the one I consider my nana) because she died when my mum was 12/13 - again, I'm so very sure she has always been with me, watching over me and I feel that they have impacted me through guidance... I could really do with them right now
And sorry if this has nothing to do with what your saying!