My Hero, My Grandfather I have so many memories of my hero, my grandfather, but some remain etched in my mind. As long as I can remember, my grandfather always wore slippers. He wore shoes too, but he always wore those slippers to Sunday dinners at my grandparents' house. I could hear him as he moved softly across the wooden floor and out of the kitchen to give us hugs and kisses. The suede slippers were the color of coffee with a hint of cream to lighten them. Inside the wool spilled out as if trying to escape the slipper. This wool was a slightly lighter shade than the outside. He had to buy slippers three sizes too big so he could stuff them with socks to further cushion his aching feet. My grandfather had an extreme case of rheumatoid arthritis, a disease in which the immune system works against joints and ligaments and causes severe pain and disfigurement. My grandfather experienced it in an extreme way. His feet hurt more and needed more attention. Because they were so gnarly, he couldn't walk as well as a normal, healthy person. He was an extremely stubborn man and refused to use a walker. My grandfather's unconditional love and strength are what helped me overcome my fear of death. She had eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, all of whom were her life. Despite the pain, he was able to come to our events, whether it was football games, swimming meets or birthday parties. He treated every accomplishment in our lives as if we had just received an Academy Award. Praise is what He gave to each of us, no matter how small the task we accomplished. Family meant everything to my grandfather, and he was the center of all of us for... middle of paper... when he was alive. I dream about him all the time, and when I do, it's always a dream where he appears to let me know that everything is okay. I don't live my life in fear of dying now. I live my life to the fullest. My grandfather's unconditional love and strength are what helped me overcome my fear of death. There is no point in wasting time, worrying about death where no one knows when it will come. I have a new vision of death. Even though I'm still anxious, I no longer worry about what will happen to me after I die because I know who's waiting for me on the other side, my hero. My grandmother gave me her slippers that she always wore. I wear them all the time now. It's strange, but every time I slide my feet where his were, I feel it in my heart and feel a huge wave of comfort, almost like a hug from heaven.