My Grandfather Carried Through Life

Many people have various valuable items that they cherish, some only have a few but everyone has that one thing that hey hold close to their heart over everything. My one item happens to be a necklace that my papa got me for Christmas right after he was diagnosed with liver cancer. This necklace means so much to me because of the character behind it, the many feelings it gives me and the heartfelt memories behind this one simple gift.

Have you ever had someone in your family that you’re extremely close to? I have many close family members, but no one was as close to me as my great uncle. Memories you have of a family member will forever be in your heart, and your mind. My great uncle was a great man. He was like a brother to me. He was always there for me when I needed him and when I was down. We had so many great memories. At every family gather he would always chase me around because I was younger before he passed away. He always would sneak snacks to all the little kids. Uncles have a special role. Not being our father, they can be a friend and a supporter in a different way than anyone else in our lives. They are both a relative and a companion; one of the few people able to be both. Whether they are crazy and weird and only seen at holidays or our best buddy and mentor, the loss of an uncle is a particularly hard one. Their loss, however, is filled with the years of happy memories we had, and that special connection that belongs only to uncles.

A mother who made many sacrifices and went days without eating to make sure that I did. A mother who taught me the significance of education, religion, and morals and values. One who told me to respect others, to open the door for his elders, to have manners, to let ladies go first, to treat others the way he’d like to be treated, and best of all to help and give to others less fortunate than him. She has provided me with the best possible education that a waitress with two kids can. This education has brought me many great teachers who have genuinely cared about me and my future. Teachers who have pushed me to be better academically and in my own life. I have also had friends who have motivated and competed with me to bring out the best in each

My grandfather was involved in many wars during the 1900s. His experiences started in the First Indochina War in 1946 and ended with the Vietnam War in 1975. His first war experience was during the First Indochina War, in which he fought for the French army against the Viet Minh force, an anti-French alliance. He was captured in 1953, but eventually and released in 1954 when the war ended with the International Geneva Conference. He then proceeded to move to Saigon in 1955 and worked as a journalist for a newspaper company during the Vietnam War.

God and his power and wisdom. I knew in my heart that I would have to pray and listen to God

While participating in the activity in class we had the opportunity to identify what we considered to be a prize possession. The most important person that I made my prize possession was my grandmother who is also my adopted mother. personally my mother means more to me than anything in the world, not only is she a critical part of my life, she is also the foundation of my family. At the age of two years old she adopted me and raised me as her own. If it had not been for her I know for a fact that I wouldn't be in college, I wouldn't have goals and I wouldn't be the God fearing individual I am today. It was the confidence and faith that she instilled in me that allows me to preserver through any and everything that comes my way.

over me and still there in my heart. Strength that even though I no longer had my two

The day August 10 2013 was a day both full of joy and sorrow. A day my family would never forget. The day I had lost my grandfather, the matriarch of the family. A man who was loving, kind , humble and all the things a child and grandchild could ever ask for. That day was supposed to be fun and full of joy. A day I had spent not even knowing that the time with my grandfather was up, he was needed somewhere else. I knew he was leaving, just not then, not at a time when I needed him and his wise words. I was with him the whole day, but ignoring the warning of time, and poof, my life changed.

My great grandfather, Edward Lee Davidson “Popeye”, is a man that is dedicated to his country. He joined the National Guard when he was only fifteen, and later when his troop there was federalized he served a single tour in Korea, followed by two in Vietnam as apart of the United States Army. In received an honorable discharge from service in December of 1969 and then later retired in September of 1972, serving for twenty-two years and seven months. He was been awarded around 15 medals and awards including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Air Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal on numerous occasions.

I chose my grandfather because he has had a large impact on my life growing up and continues to guide me and provides me with valuable advice. I’m very close with my grandparents and enjoying spending time with them because there is so much I can learn from them. My grandfather is a businessman but always takes the time to talk to new people he meets in his day to day life and always takes interest in others around him. Many of his friends and everyone he meets falls in love with his humour and great personality and his ability to effortless connect with people is not to be overlooked. I look up to my grandfather as a mentor because he is very smart and has lots of good life advice as well as is good at working with others and managing his

I only have one memory of my Uncle; he was like a star, nice, warm, caring and would never do anything to harm someone he loves…or loved. When I was little my family visited my foreign family in Scotland; the only thing I remember is when my Uncle screamed “Happy Birthday Kiddo” and threw me into a bouncy castle. That’s all I remember about that trip…and my uncle. If I only met my uncle once why should I have to leave school to go to his funeral? I won’t know anybody; nobody will know me; I will just take up space. What’s the point?

When we were together we were invincible, us against the world. I’d look up to him, not only because he was 6’4, but because he was my grandpa. I have clear memories of him picking me up from school, playing old school reggae music during our adventurous car rides. We’d always sing along to our favorites, sometimes turn the music up so loud the people in the cars next to us could hear it. When I would visit his apartment, the familiar smell of drywall and pennies would fill the air. It was my hideaway, my home away from home. My grandpa collected pennies in water jugs. He would say that one day they’d be worth more than just pennies. I loved it there, not only because he had a freezer filled with many flavors of ice cream to which he would often say to me “you can have all you can eat” but because it was our time to bond. For five years it was my mom, my dad, and my grandpa helping me to grow. Those are my favorite people, my role models. Being around my grandpa brought me such comfort and joy.

My grandmother likes to believe that my grandfather left our world, to save his sons. If it weren’t for the fact that my grandfather had passed away, both my dad and my uncle would not have been home from work that day. In fact, both my dad and uncle, may have been in their office, or even walking the streets that moment when the planes crashed into the twin towers instantly destroying those buildings and all the buildings surrounding it. My dad and my uncle could have been anywhere in the city that day and time, and could have been severely hurt or worst-case scenario killed. Furthermore, my family was unlucky to have lost my grandfather so soon, but lucky to have ensured safety for my dad and my uncle when they were forced to miss work that very day.

My Love For You Mom , it touched my entire life....letting go of memories is just too hard!

hearts. Our children must be taught to carry our heritage the rest of their lives. Let them become strong in this new world and live happily, to prosper and live in peace.