Parrot, Jack this would be a name found in the list of people who have raised 7 kids, made their own successful retirement planning company, been married (some number) years, live in Florida, like a drink every now and then, studies religion, make little pictures with funny captions for his friends and family, wrote a book, survived heart surgery and knee replacement, love tennis, love golf as well, have gray hair, are average height, wear glasses, own an apartment in New York, have a different car every time they come to visit, are Irish, and are over 70 years old. These and many others are things that describe my grand father. He has influenced and inspired me in more ways than he could possibly know.

When he comes down to New York for the holidays or just to visit, we often have lunch or dinner and talk a lot. Most of time he just asks how and what I've been doing and I ask the same. Almost every time we have lunch he tells me about how he likes to make little pictures with funny captions.

"Something I really enjoy doing is putting captions on pictures and giving them to friends or family members." He would say. "I remember giving one to your little cousin Kevin and seeing his face light up with joy (picture of him and an earth mover were put together so it looked like he was in it) and bewilderment because he couldn't figure out how he got in the earth mover." He continued. "I really enjoy making these because they bring a little joy to the people i give them to."

This really had an effect on me as a person. It made me realize that any gift no matter how small is important and most people will be happy no matter what. My parents would always make me get gifts on most every holiday for whoever it was needed and for a lot of the little ones i thought it didn't really matter because these little holidays were stupid. After hearing what my grandpa had to say I realized more and more that every little gift counts, like that a small fathers or mothers day gift is a very nice thing to give a person even if it is pretty crappy. He has also taught me to do what i like to do in life; he enjoys what he does which is studying religion and making these pictures. He even made a video in which people spoke about their religions. Even though he is retired he still made this video which will probably cost him money in the end, but he doesn’t mind he enjoys doing it. This is a real inspiration for me to do what I want to do and not think about the cost as much. He always asks me what I want to do after high school and I always say that I am not sure, but when I am i know it’s what i will want to do for along time to come.