Why Poppy Is Important To Me

There is not many people in life that will have such an impact that will directly change the course of how one spends their time, how one handles problems, and teaches someone what is truly important in life. My grandfather, or as I called him, “Pap” was one of the only people who always believed in me and whatever I wanted to accomplish with my life. My Pap was very inspirational in my life because he taught me through his good example that obstacles can harm but never stop so long as you keep fighting for what is desired. He taught me about resolution, and to never give up no matter the odds and instilled confidence in me that I can do anything so long as I am willing to work for it. He always stressed to me that materialistic things in life do not matter, as long as the family and friends are there for support and love. He directly influenced the way I spend my time and what I enjoy to do.

He had a big, deep voice, and thinning gray hair. His eyes were big and friendly. He was in no way a fancy man. He used to live in Brooklyn, and even among all of the designer outfits, he always preferred a simple t-shirt and sweatpants with a pair of worker’s boots. He lived his life however he wanted, even if it would embarrass those around him. No matter, he was a loving man, and he always had time for his family. He was never too busy with work or his social life to relax with us for a little while. These traits all came together to give him a lively, impish, and extremely loving personality. They made him my Grandpa.

I came to know Gary Haw nearly forty years ago when I met him and his family at Church in Culver City. Gary and I quickly became close friends and whom I consider one of my best friends. Gary and I and attended many church social's and outings together at that time. My parents quickly grew fond of Gary on the occasions he picked me up for outings and social events and described him as 'Always treats you nicely'.

The man I called papa was my grandfather, my mentor, and my friend. Always a great example for what exceptional leader was. With noble integrity and a unique sense of human responsibility, always taking care of others. He was always

I never really knew my grandpa as well as I would have liked. He was already an old, old man by the time I started high school, and my own memories of him are mostly of a man confined by age and ailing health. So I'm not really going to talk about my memories of him. Instead, I'm going to try to share his memories and the memories of those that knew him.

The Singing Mailman, that’s what they knew him as. I called him Grandpa blue jeans and both he and my uncle Eugene called me Poncho. I never asked why and I never cared. His given name was Eugene James Jr and he was my great grandfather. He played many roles in his 89 years. WWII Air Force Veteran, Pineville Baptist Church Charter member, 26 year career mailman, daredevil roller skater, science fiction book aficionado, and daytime television critic just to name a few. He was the most devoted husband to Louise James, my grandmother, and the patriarch of my family as I knew it. I remember many things about my grandfather; his silver Buick with maroon interior, his love for meatloaf and deviled eggs (which it seems I inherited), his big thick

My grandpa is the best grandpa ever , he teaches me stuff and always cheers me up when I'm sad . He always helps me when I don't know what I'm doing and no matter what we are doing doesn't matter if it's working or not we always have fun together and I know I don't see him a lot but when I do I cherish the moments I have with him . That is why my grandpa is my Michigan hero

My grandpa always comes to my sporting events to cheer me on. When he comes, he brings along his camera, taking a million pictures a second, capturing every moment. When I got sick when I was younger papa would always take me to his house, and make sure I was ok. He would wrap me in a mountain of blankets, bring me chicken noodle soup, and turn on Looney Tunes.He would never freak out about me getting him sick like a lot of people did which would make me feel better. Sometimes when my parents are really busy, my grandpa will almost always be there to get me from place to place, never complaining about how it was inconvenient for him or how he had somewhere better to be.

My grandmother, Poppop, means everything to me. She is a Jesus-loving and caring human being. Anytime you need her, she's there. She is a great person and kind to everyone.

He taught me how to hunt, how to fish, and play baseball, he never missed a thing, he was there through it all.

One happy day my great grandfather was born. His name is George Allen Clemons. He is one of the most people that I cherish the most ever. He helps me with getting my coon dog ready for hunts, charge my coon light, gets my boots and pants together, and he keeps my back tracker and garmin charged. Not only does he do that, every time I break the four wheeler or it breaks down he gets it fixed or fixes it.

Wally Brown is my grandpa, he has been a very important person in my life. When my grandpa was a kid his family was poor. As he became an adult, he got married to my grandma. Together they lived in different houses with friends and relatives, because they could not afford their own. After a lot of work, he finally saved up enough money he bought an old farm house and raised a family in it. Now he lives in a nice house and has many grandkids.

grandfather, before he died when I was in middle school. They would visit us in the US when

He’s the kind of person that's so mean to you but will lend his shoulder to you to cry on for as long as you need. And honestly the most important he will make sure to be the one to lay down that flower at your tombstone every year even after people have long forgotten about

For many people, Grandpa is a storyteller, someone to go fishing with, and someone who has your back no matter what. The experience I had with my grandpa was a little different. I never got the opportunity to meet my great-grandfather Liston Grider, but he still somehow managed to have a huge impact on my life. Sometimes my mom would tell stories about him; happy memories from her childhood, sad ones that were painful for her to tell, and everything in between. I thought I had heard it all, but this past summer I learned something about my great grandpa that would perhaps impact my life forever. This story was not told by my mom like usual, but by someone who was a complete stranger to me. The lessons I learned would not be taught in a single day, but over the span of a month through a series of Facebook messages and letters in the mail. The words I read upon opening those messages and letters would change my life forever, permanently transform my beliefs, and show me what it truly means to be an American.