My Grandfather Is My Hero

Did you ever know that you’re my hero and everything I’d like to be? Whenever I fondly remember my hero, the man who has inspired me the most, I hear these words from Bette Midler’s song, “Wind Beneath My Wings”. My grandfather, Don Skipper Sr. has taught me to believe in myself, follow Jesus, and pursue my dreams. This man has not only been a role model for me, but for my father as well. My grandfather was a hard worker, not a fan, but a servant follower and believer of Jesus the Christ. When he was 18 years old he started working at The Street and Sanitation Department for the city of Homewood in Alabama as a foreman. Over the years he worked his way up to supervisor. He loved his job and his employees. There are so many things he taught

Granddaddy always received compliments for his appearance; his shoes would enhance his apparel. He would visit the barber weekly, he would say the way a gentleman carries himself speaks volumes about him. If you want to know something about the neatness of a man you should observe his hands, shoes, and clothing. “One should dress appropriately for all occasions”, he would say. If you are going to work dress according to the job you do and the position you are aspiring. During leisure times he would dress “sharp as a tack”. I would tell him, “My granddaddy looks good”, he would smile at me and tell me how beautiful I was. When he would share conversations with me, I felt so much love. I was truly in awe with my

As I anxiously walked across that stage to receive my high school diploma being his first grandchild to earn one, I reminisced on the life of my grandfather, Don Skipper, Sr. I envisioned him looking down smiling on me. I felt honor and prestige, to be the first Skipper grandchild to fulfill his wish for his grand kids. He would tell me,” he has two sons who earned high school diplomas, bachelor’s degrees, and masters’; but not a grandchild, so make me proud.” I realize he was speaking life and destiny into me. I have two younger siblings and a cousin, so it is my responsibility to carry this torch, be a role model for them and persevere hardships, even when I don’t think I can because, my grandfather says I can! Therefore, I will! If my grandfather was here today I would tell him in the words of Bette Midler: “It might have appeared to go unnoticed, but I 've got it all here in my heart. I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it. I would be nothing without you. Did you ever know that you 're my