In Remembrance of my granddaddy......Charles E. Simpson

Today was the birthdate of my late grandfather. This was the man who took on the responsibilty of helping to raise me as a child when i was taken from my parents by my grandmother when i was very young. He was strong willed, stubborn, and loveable. He was the sort of man that never had any problems in stating how he felt. He called it like he saw it. There was never a "middle grey" area with him. You always knew where you stood with him.
He was the oldest of 8 children and was forced to quit school at 10 years old to assume the role of his father when he passed. He joined the Army when he was old enough and fought in WWII. His first wife passed during childbearing due to kidney failure and in the end he lost the only son he would ever have as well. So, before meeting my grandmother he raised two girls on his own. After meeting and marrying my grandmother he eventually had five daughters. My mother being the oldest of this marriage.
He was the stable father figure in my life growing up. He worked hard every day as a waterman. At night, he would come home and though tired, would still have time for me and my aunt, who was only five years my senior.
He survived both his first wifes' and my grandmothers death. Out of 8 grandchildren births, I was the only one who he went to the hospitol to witness. A gentle, great man he was.
Two years before his death he began to show the signs of Alzheimers. He was adamant on staying in his own home. And we saw to it to fulfill his wish. We all took turns staying with at night. He loved Segrams 57, his "Jump Steady" he called it, and his Winston cigarettes.
In the end, it was not the Alzheimers that claimed his life, it was the Cigarrettes. C.O.P.D. I miss you grandadddy and save a place for me next to you and grandma.