My Grandfather

My grandfather, Cosmo Damiano Depinto was born on May 15, 1939 in the small town of Molfetta, Italy. He is the son of Nicoletta Depinto, his mother, who was one of three siblings. Her two sisters were named Lina and Giovanna. His mother had a full time job as a seamstress. His grandmother was responsible for making fishing nets. His grandfather, Orazio, had a similar profession in the fishing industry and and worked as a local fisherman. But unfortunately he passed away when a mine blew up while he was fishing in his boat after World War I (1914-1918).

With every great person, there are others behind them supporting them. One person that inspired me was, Dr. Yvonne Thornton, her story reminded me of myself. For example; when she stated her father brought her a car so she would never have to get in the car with a male (something my dad did). Also her rabbit theory, which is the way my family taught me, never cheat, but always learn from the next whether dealing with life or school. My Aunt Brenda and Uncle Cliff also inspired me in many ways. All my life I saw them be nothing but the best, they taught me lessons of life, how to be better, and how to treat others. My Aunt and Uncle taught me always do better than before, never let anybody tell me I’m not good enough, only except or higher. I can honestly say they are great inspiration to me and what I strive to be in the future. My Aunt Brenda’s words of wisdom are; “Remember God is always first in your

Growing up as a little girl with a full time dad was always interesting. I was always my daddy’s little girl, or as he calls me “Lil Dawg”. He was like my side kick, Best friend, and the best dad a little girl could ask for. My father was really the only family I have ever known, from having a mother who did not care and a family who was hurtful in every way possible. My father was the only one there to wipe away my tears, to kiss my “boo-boos” when I fell, and the only one to show he loved me. I never had the life most young girls had.. I never really did the whole shopping, getting my nails done, or playing with make-up. I did the every weekend at the race track watching my dad race, as well as being known as the girl who rode dirt bikes, and played with the boys. I didn’t mind though as long as I was with my dad there was never a dull moment. My dad is a very tall man with pretty blue eyes just like mine, and as most people called him “my twin”. People often ask “what do your parents look like?” My response was always “Picture me with short hair”, because I am a smitten image of my father. I was always so appreciative of what he did, because I know he tried his best to play both roles. Despite the fact of wondering what a life with a mother would be like, Life with my dad was perfect, because that’s all I have ever known. Never did I think that my life could be transformed from perfect to a disaster….

If pancreatic cancer had the attention it needed, the cancer would be detected at an early stage when the tumor could be surgically removed. Doctors at this moment cannot even tell their patient how long they have to live after being diagnosed. If the doctors could find the cancer faster and notice the

Growing up I had a role model. He is the most inspirational person I have ever had the chance of meeting. He took care of me when I was sick or when my parents would have to work late into the night, and honestly I am proud to say that this inspirational person is my older brother, Trey Hampton. Not only has my brother been there for me through thick and thin he even managed to introduced me to one of my greatest passions.

Pancreatic Cancer is cancer of an organ in the human body called the pancreas, which is located behind the lower part of the stomach. The function of this organ is to secrete certain essential enzymes to digest food and also secrete hormones to metabolize sugars such as insulin and glucagon (Mayoclinic). People get pancreatic cancer when the cells of the pancreas develop genetic mutations; and these can form in both the exocrine and endocrine cells of the pancreas, but exocrine tumors are more common than endocrine tumors. Because this cancer spreads very quickly throughout the body and the symptoms of the disease don’t usually appear until the cancer is at an advanced stage, it is a leading cause of death

Which, in my case the one who has influenced me the most into becoming a significant person would be my grandmother. She doesn’t let her sickness get in the way of helping others and telling me to never give up on my education. She would always say “work hard on anything that you believe in so even when times are tough.” My grandma is always there if needed either by helping in a way to get things done or by keeping people company. She’s full with an outstanding spirit, never asks for anything in return after getting the stuff done. It comes to show that her actions speak louder than words could ever do, By hearing all of the good things she does for people makes me want to become a better person. Therefore, I want to be able to assist people with a wide range of situations that they are facing

In 1952 my grandfather, Albert S. Thanhauser, waited in line with the incoming class of Air Force soldiers in upstate New York as they prepared to enter the Korean War. Each quaking private presented their papers to the stone-faced officer at the front of the line, to receive their military assignment. As my grandfather approached with his documentation, something peculiar happened. “Hmm… Thanhauser,” muttered the gruff officer, “M.O.T.?” he asked quietly. A Brooklyn Jew, Al’s eyes lit up as he nodded and his papers were placed with the rest in the pile. M.O.T: Member of the Tribe, was an instantly recognizable code of camaraderie amongst Jews. Two weeks after this encounter, the night before being shipped off to Korea, Al received a memo: He was being pulled from the pack headed for Hell and instead was shipped to Japan to set up a flight school at an American base. The two years he spent on the airbase were some of the best of his life. Was this story was likely intended to instill me with a connection to Judaism? Was it just another of my Grandpa’s crazy stories? I had always focused on the result of this story - how it dramatically affected my grandfather’s life. But as I have grown older, the story has begun to resonate with me as beautiful demonstration of an act of kindness and virtue that I learn and grow from.

The person i consider to be the most inspiring and heroic is my dad Dr.Maurice Landers.Ther reason i consider him a hero is because he has made a big impact on mine and and others lives.He grew up in a small town of Mississippi called Port Gibson, there wasn't much there and he grew up in still accomplish his dreams.He exceeded his dreams, he went through college and almost failed the class that his job is mainly based but turned it all around on what he kept going and now we live in a beautiful house because he kept going.This is just one reason why he is a hero.

My grandfather, an extraordinary man, has overcome many obstacles in his life. He is admirable because he has accomplished everything he has ever dreamed of and is still demolishing anything in his way. When he was younger, he worked in the army and deserves to be honored just because of that, but he has done much more that he also deserves credit for.

My mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer stage IV last July. “I could believe what was happening to me, at the age of 44 I considered myself a healthy person, I was never sick, I never smoked, I was highly active and had a healthy diet. I couldn't find a possible explanation that justified this illness.” she said. It was really though for my family, we couldn't even say the word “cancer” for a few months. We became angry because we thought that my mom didn’t deserved that. The doctors were confident, even though stage IV of pancreatic cancer has 1% of survival rate in the US. In addition to that, my mom’s tumor couldn't be removed because the cancer spread to distant organs.

The one-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is 20 percent, according to pancreatic.org. The five-year survival rate is only 6 percent.

Pancreatic cancer is a disease that has no cure. It comes in the body and hides until it wants to be found, by the time it is found the cancer is usually in the late stages. However there may be a cure in the near future.

One person I personally know that inspires me a lot is my father. My father has always been very involved in my life and had a very positive impact on who I have become. He came to the United States when he was eleven years old with nothing. The English language was foreign to him and everything was being risked. The comfort of being in a place you have been all your life and having friends and family surrounding you was gone. Yet his parents knew this was what was best for him, so they brought him over. Things were not easy for my father and some of my family members either. They all lived crammed up in a one bedroom apartment. However, they were not discouraged. My father fought and fought for what he wanted to achieve. I admire him greatly because of how hard working he is. Everything he has accomplished today was thanks to his amazing work ethic. This is what really makes me want to be like him. If I am able to strive and fight like he did, especially with my studies, I have faith I will achieve all I want.

My grandfather, Nunzio Mugavero, is the definition of strength. Unfortunately, my grandfather had a major stroke in 2012 and his short-term memory is completely wiped. Now my grandfather spends most of his days sitting in a retirement living complex listening to Frank Sinatra and asking my grandmother where the bathroom is in his apartment. This past Sunday my family and I celebrated his ninetieth birthday. At this party people told a variety of stories about my grandfather both funny and heartfelt. My biggest takeaway from this birthday was my realization of just how strong of a person my grandfather was and still is both literally and mentally. My grandfather truly is the strongest man I have known and his experiences have taught me that when life gets hard I must stay strong and persevere.