In my seventeen years, many people have attempted to mold and shape my character.
While I owe a tremendous amount of who I am to my parents, teachers, and
peers, I sometimes find others have had just as significant an influence on me by
the way they present themselves. By observing those people, I have been able to
absorb vital characteristics that I use and will continue to use my whole life. One
person who has taught me is my grandfather. My grandfather has instilled in me
invaluable lessons through his wisdom, humor, and work ethic.
While walking up the hills in the Bronx to the Court Deli, my grandfather often
lags behind the crowd. For the past fifteen years our family has had season tickets
to the Yankees, and it has become a custom to walk to the deli a few blocks up
from the stadium. As I walk up the hill I slow down to keep my grandfather company.
“Keep up with your dad, I am fine,” he tells me. I take a few quick paces
and catch up with my dad, but worry about my grandfather who follows a few
steps behind. It is obvious that he is struggling to keep a steady pace, but the look
of determination out weighs his pain. Every visit my dad suggests that we eat at
the Stadium rather than go up to the diner, but my grandfather thinks of us and
struggles up the hills every single Bronx visit.
My great-grandfather saved the local town newspaper from bankruptcy, and my
The Term Paper on Shooting Dad
... heavy—11O pounds. We park near the side of the hill. Dad takes his gunpowder and other tools out of this ... from North Texas.” These soldiers had, like my great-great-grandfather John Vowell, fought under pro-slavery guerrilla William C. ... “John Vowell,” Dad says, “had a little rep for killing people.” And since he abandoned my great-grandfather Charles, whose mother ...
grandfather did not think twice about taking over when his father was no longer
able to work. My grandfather worked many years as the owner of the newspaper,
a demanding job that required a lot of time and effort. Never quitting, my grandfather
was with the newspaper through many difficult situations while raising a
family. Although I do not yet have a family of my own, I have many responsibilities
at school and in my town. Teaching Sunday school at my local church has
been a Sunday tradition for the past four years. When I was asked to teach
Sunday school, I was very excited to have the opportunity to work with children
and thus dedicated myself to preparing lessons and working with the children.
After a year, the Sunday school program had undergone changes, many fellow
teachers were leaving and I had to decide whether to return in the fall. I chose to
stay, wanting to give back to the church that I had grown up attending. I know
through my grandfather’s example of giving to his community despite setbacks,
that quitting is not an option.
The ideals that my grandfather has instilled in me are not from lectures or copying
notes. My grandfather influences me by example, not by telling me how to
live my life. As I begin my venture through college next year, I will no longer
have the comfort zone of my school district in which I have spent 13 years. I will
be thrust into a new community into which I am prepared to integrate. As I do in
high school, I will use the life skills that my grandfather taught me, and continue
to establish myself wherever I go throughout life. Next year, I will not be able to
rely on my grandfather’s gentle push to encourage me. However, I know that
through my actions his valuable lessons will always be with me.
Throughout his life, my grandfather has encountered many difficult obstacles and
has conquered them all. As a cancer survivor, he has been tested mentally and physically within the past few years. Throughout his sickness he has been careful
because of his health, but never underestimates himself and pushes himself to his
limit. I am an active participant in many clubs and sports during the school year,
The Term Paper on Science Education in Primary School Years
Introduction The importance of science in the education of schoolchildren goes beyond just providing the first steps in producing the next generation of scientist. Since science is becoming a large part of political debates – such as in global warming, nutrition and energy (DeBoer, 2000) – at least a basic understanding of how science works and what conclusions it can draw needs to be ...
and I am often pushed to my limit. During a typical school day I have clubs,
sports, and homework to accomplish while getting to bed at a reasonable hour. I
prioritize, and schedule my time so I will not be overwhelmed. My parents still
question my involvement in school activities, but rather than quitting I have chosen
to conquer my obstacles, rather than falling apart. When I think of my grandfather’s
difficult experience with cancer, juggling extracurricular activities does
not seem such an impossible task. To stretch myself is to be determined, and to be
determined is to succeed. My grandfather has been determined throughout his
life, having a successful business life while creating a loving family environment.
“Poppy, could you tell the story about California?” questions my younger cousin.
All of the older members of the family, of which I am now included, sit back and
smile at the favorite story that will once again be told. While most would avoid
telling a self-effacing story, my grandfather just smiles and begins. “Remember
that summer we were driving around California in that old rental car?” my grandfather
begins.
“It had been a long day, the kids were cranky and I was just trying to get out of
the parking lot.” My dad starts laughing, “Yeah, but you couldn’t get out the same
way as everyone else.” Anticipating the climax of the story we all begin laughing,
but the younger children cannot comprehend what is so funny. “So I was trying to
back out of a difficult spot, and my vision was blocked by all the kids sitting in
the back seat. They chose not to mention that there was a big pole in the direct
path of where I was backing up the car.” My grandmother shakes her head and
says, “We all saw it but we knew you would have bitten off our heads if we had
said anything.” My grandfather continues ignoring my grandmother’s rebuttal.
“So, there I am in a hot rental car in a crowded parking lot after a long day and I
The Essay on Story Tom Joad Family Casey Camp
Tom Joad, strong and young man in his mid-twenties, was hitchhiking back to his home after being released on a parole. He spent four long years in a prison for killing a person. On his way back he met Casey, a former preacher who baptized Tom when he was kid. They had a little drink together and Tom invited him to walk with him to his house. As they arrived there they found the house abandoned and ...
ram directly into a pole.”
My grandfather is not all about determination; he does have a funny bone even if
it is self-effacing. After each meal the family does not get up but rather waits for
him to start telling a story. Whether the story is about his experience in the Navy,
road rage, or his children, there is always a punch line that tends to be aimed at
himself. Some are not intended to be funny but his expressions and comments
make it nearly impossible to maintain composure. I laugh along with the rest of
my family, but I often find myself at school in a situation similar to those of my
grandfather. I do not tell his jokes, but I find that I am often making jokes at my
own expense. Every morning in the parking lot I pull in crooked in my parking
space. It has become a ritual for me to back out of the spot and endure ridicule
from witnesses. A few years ago I might not have been able to tolerate this, but I
have accepted the fact that my inability to park is a weakness I cannot hide. My
ability to laugh at myself stems from my grandfather’s stories, but some stories
were not meant to be funny, some were heartwarming while others showed determination.