my grandfather
my grandfather just celebrated his 90th birthday. now in an age of so many centenials, this may not be such a feat but how he made there is whats special. he was born in pre war europe. he went to work in physical labor at 12 years old to help put food on his parents table. he married, had a son but then his wife died in childbirth of his second son. he married his wife's sister as was common in that place and time. he built a house from scratch and moved in with his pregnant wife. but only 2 days later he was taken away by the nazis never to see his wife and son again. he never even saw his second son. after surviving the hells of aushwitz, he married my grandmother and came to america. he had an uncle who was helping his brothers financially but told him that because my grandmother had a rich uncle that he should get money from him. but my grandmothers uncle only lent him money and made him give headcheacks that he cashed on time without fail. they took in borders to help cover their living expenses and my granfather went to work as a roofer. there were times when there was no food on the table. he was known as a honest person. his quote was the actuall price and even if the job was bigger than expected, he would pay even the materials out of his own pocket. he always guaranteed his work and was good to his employees. he worked six days a week, but never on saturday (sabbath), never compromising his religous beliefs. eventually he got government contracts and built up a nice business. one night he gets a call that some hoodlums burnt down his entire business and he had to start the whole thing over again. whenever there were disputes over money with other family members he would tell my grandmother that its just money and we will get it some other way but we only have this family. he's been retired for 20 years now living at home with his wife, getting up at 5:30 am to be the first at synogogue every morning even when in pain from his back. his family is his pride, always helping them out, and has helped each of his 10 grandchildren and 18 (and counting) great grandchildren have a strong financial foothold to start life. hard work, belief in himself and god, and the love of family is his mantra and i hope i can follow in his footsteps.
my grandfather just celebrated his 90th birthday. now in an age of so many centenials, this may not be such a feat but how he made there is whats special. he was born in pre war europe. he went to work in physical labor at 12 years old to help put food on his parents table. he married, had a son but then his wife died in childbirth of his second son. he married his wife's sister as was common in that place and time. he built a house from scratch and moved in with his pregnant wife. but only 2 days later he was taken away by the nazis never to see his wife and son again. he never even saw his second son. after surviving the hells of aushwitz, he married my grandmother and came to america. he had an uncle who was helping his brothers financially but told him that because my grandmother had a rich uncle that he should get money from him. but my grandmothers uncle only lent him money and made him give headcheacks that he cashed on time without fail. they took in borders to help cover their living expenses and my granfather went to work as a roofer. there were times when there was no food on the table. he was known as a honest person. his quote was the actuall price and even if the job was bigger than expected, he would pay even the materials out of his own pocket. he always guaranteed his work and was good to his employees. he worked six days a week, but never on saturday (sabbath), never compromising his religous beliefs. eventually he got government contracts and built up a nice business. one night he gets a call that some hoodlums burnt down his entire business and he had to start the whole thing over again. whenever there were disputes over money with other family members he would tell my grandmother that its just money and we will get it some other way but we only have this family. he's been retired for 20 years now living at home with his wife, getting up at 5:30 am to be the first at synogogue every morning even when in pain from his back. his family is his pride, always helping them out, and has helped each of his 10 grandchildren and 18 (and counting) great grandchildren have a strong financial foothold to start life. hard work, belief in himself and god, and the love of family is his mantra and i hope i can follow in his footsteps.
posted by YitzG | Saturday, April 29, 2006
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