My pop’s pop. He looked and possibly smelt like Dennis Hopper. He played his 48’s non-stop… he lived in Anchorage and had a sailing boat and when we were of age he’d sail us to the otherside of the bay and treat us to his secret purpleheaded stash, as that is what he called it. He died aged 60 years and one day. My Pop was a spitting image of his oldman and just as crazy, he moved us all to Alabama by a big Ford just so he could get more Sunshine. He was a anti-Vietnam man as his Poppa was anti-War, so in that way they influenced me well. God Bless their souls.
My paternal Grandfather came to this country from Lebanon when he was 19 escaping a blood feud that had plagued his family for generations. He was determined not to father a family in such a place.
He became a rapid American Patriot and believed this was the greatest place in the world. He spoke American with no trace of an accent. I NEVER heard him speak anything else. When I was a child I asked him about the “old country” and he refused to even talk about it.
No person (even my parents) had a greater influence on me. A few of the things he taught me[ul]
[li]There are only two kinds of people - good ones and bad ones, there are plenty of both in ALL races, colors, and creeds[/li][li]Good people take care of their families, obey the law, pay their bills, and look out for the neighbors - everybody else is bad [/li][li]Give your job all that you have[/li][li]The only bad job is no job[/li][li]Go where you’re sent - do what you’re told[/li][li]Your first loyalty is to your family, then your neighbors, your community, God and Country are all tied up in there[/li][li]Honesty REALLY is the best policy[/li][li]Don’t kill something if you can get it at the grocery[/li][li]The best place in the world is “by your house”[/li][/ul]
Much more, of course, but it’s past my bed time
He lived to 98 (a hurricane got him) had very few friends and NO enemies.
On my fathers side both were dead by the time I was 8, My grandparents on my mothers side lasted a bit longer but I barely knew them, they lived 1500 miles away. I’d say none of my grandparents had much direct influence in my life but if I had to choose I’d say my paternal grandmother.