Dempsey Hamilton ,my Grandpa and hero, shared a smile with everyone he came into contact with. It was an infectious smile...I actually think his eyes danced when he laughed.
Grandpa was one of 10 children. By 8th grade he dropped out of school to work in a sawmill and help provide for his large family. To me he was wiser than any man with a PhD.
In 1939, at age 19 he and four of his brothers- yes five boys in one family- served in WWII. Then the Korean War. All five made it back. He gave 20 years and retired in 1959. He was a man of few words about his experience at war. He was not interested in sharing and we knew this was his way of keeping it in the past. He loved life, his family and his country.
Yes, I know this is a Veteran type of post BUT his Birthday is this week... and Memorial weekend was when we celebrated....he would have been 89.
Grandpa, or Popeye as my kids called him ( chewed a big wad of tobacco) , was king of the BBQ and enjoyed feeding large crowds of family and friends. It was our official way to start the summer, end the school year and spend time together. Tonight I will be grilling steaks, adding brown sugar to the beans just like he did ...and thinking about his genuine smile and how special me made me feel.
Happy Birthday Grandpa...we love and miss you every day.
More about Grandpa Here
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