There is someone I respect from the bottom of my heart. It is my grandfather.
Today, I will tell you a little about him.

When I was very young, he would take me to go play on the beach, swim in the ocean, or swim in the river, and when it got dark he would read me folk tales or some other book and he always made me have a good time. Whenever we met someone, he would always proudly announce that I was his treasure and, at these times, I would feel shy.

Also, my grandfather didn’t discriminate against anybody. He loved everybody, especially children, and was called "granda" and adored by everyone. I still think about how he would keep candy and loose change in the car to give to children he might happen to meet.

My grandfather was a persistent person and, according to a relative, before opening his propane store, he peddled katsuobushi (dried bonito) and hanakatsuo (dried bonito flakes), pulling his cart over 12 miles over unpaved roads every day. Even when his throat was dry and he wanted to drink a bottle of cider, his child’s face would appear before him and he would bear with it and just drink spring water. I think it is because he was that kind of grandfather, that he was able to survive his apprenticeship when he was in junior high school, going off to war, being interned in Siberia, being a fisherman, peddling hanakatsuo, and running a propane store.

My grandfather’s existance meant a great deal to me, the strength of his will to absolutely follow through once he had decided to do something and the kindness that he wrapped me in. I feel a deep sense of pride that I am the grandson of such a man.

I always feel that he is constantly watching over me from heaven. I think that is why I have been able to walk the path to better myself with all my might.