I have to write an ancestral story and I decided to write it on my grandfather.
My main concerns are that it is too short and it is too boring. It would be appreciated if someone could help me a little.
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My Grandfather passed away September of last year. Although his death took a big toll on my family, it did not really affect me as much as it affected my cousins. We never really developed a fond relationship as he lives in Malaysia and I live in Australia. His memorable life had really no significance to me; this is until my dad explained to me the life he had lived, the hardships he went through and what he achieved. It was then that I wish I had tried harder to form a closer bond with him. Now I appreciate him as an individual and am grateful for the life changing decisions he made, which benefitted my life unimaginably.
My grandfather was born in 1939 on Hainan island China. He grew in poor family, in which he had an elder sister and younger brother. After he finished primary school, the CPC vs KMT Chinese Civil War was happening and the Japanese had occupied some of China. The family had no choice but to escape the country. They took nothing but a few bags, gave up all their money and retreated to Malaysia by boat. My grandfather was only twelve. In Malaysia, they worked at restaurants as chefs. My great grandfather had started a cafe/restaurant business which still runs today. They struggled through years of hardship but they figured that it was better than living through the war.
When my grandfather was old enough, he rented a house and moved to Kuala Lumpur by himself. He worked at the local KFCs to earn some money. He then moved on to work at a restaurant in Kuala Lumpur; where he would continue to serve the restaurant until he died. The restaurant now has been open for 90 years and is part of Malaysian heritage. When he was 26 he got married and had 3 kids one of which is my father. After all these years of working, things were starting to look better. Although his family was still extremely poor, they survived through the harsh conditions.
My dad was second child, with two siblings. When he graduated from high school, there were not many opportunities in Malaysia to study. This is because the Malaysian government do not allow many Chinese to enter Malaysian Universities; they believe the Chinese will fill the university leaving no space for the disadvantaged native Malay. Due to the fact that my dad did so well in high school, my grandfather pulled out his life savings and sent my father to Taiwan to study. I am really grateful of this altruistic sacrifice as it helped my father start a new life which would ultimately affect me. After my father left home, my grandfather continued to work hard as a chef. He helped my uncle pay for a new house and the renovations.
I cannot start to imagine the hard work that my grandfather had been through. At the innocent age of twelve, he was forced to work to survive; money did not come easy. And being the selfless man he is, he used a lot of his life savings to pay for my father's education to make sure he would have a good life. When I went to visit the restaurant he worked at, we had lunch with the boss of the restaurant, where he spoke to us about my grandfather. After he finished talking he said "He was a good, hard working and selfless man" and I am sure everyone that has met him would agree.
comments: this is a good essay and really talks about your grandfather's life. i could tell that you appreciate your grandfather. i am sorry for your loss. wish your family and you the best. i put in my comments in your essay. good luck.
My main concerns are that it is too short and it is too boring. It would be appreciated if someone could help me a little.
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My Grandfather passed away September of last year. Although his death took a big toll on my family, it did not really affect me as much as it affected my cousins. We never really developed a fond relationship as he lives in Malaysia and I live in Australia. His memorable life had really no significance to me; this is until my dad explained to me the life he had lived, the hardships he went through and what he achieved. It was then that I wish I had tried harder to form a closer bond with him. Now I appreciate him as an individual and am grateful for the life changing decisions he made, which benefitted my life unimaginably.
My grandfather was born in 1939 on Hainan island China. He grew in poor family, in which he had an elder sister and younger brother. After he finished primary school, the CPC vs KMT Chinese Civil War was happening and the Japanese had occupied some of China. The family had no choice but to escape the country. They took nothing but a few bags, gave up all their money and retreated to Malaysia by boat. My grandfather was only twelve. In Malaysia, they worked at restaurants as chefs. My great grandfather had started a cafe/restaurant business which still runs today. They struggled through years of hardship but they figured that it was better than living through the war.
When my grandfather was old enough, he rented a house and moved to Kuala Lumpur by himself. He worked at the local KFCs to earn some money. He then moved on to work at a restaurant in Kuala Lumpur; where he would continue to serve the restaurant until he died. The restaurant now has been open for 90 years and is part of Malaysian heritage. When he was 26 he got married and had 3 kids one of which is my father. After all these years of working, things were starting to look better. Although his family was still extremely poor, they survived through the harsh conditions.
My dad was second child, with two siblings. When he graduated from high school, there were not many opportunities in Malaysia to study. This is because the Malaysian government do not allow many Chinese to enter Malaysian Universities; they believe the Chinese will fill the university leaving no space for the disadvantaged native Malay. Due to the fact that my dad did so well in high school, my grandfather pulled out his life savings and sent my father to Taiwan to study. I am really grateful of this altruistic sacrifice as it helped my father start a new life which would ultimately affect me. After my father left home, my grandfather continued to work hard as a chef. He helped my uncle pay for a new house and the renovations.
I cannot start to imagine the hard work that my grandfather had been through. At the innocent age of twelve, he was forced to work to survive; money did not come easy. And being the selfless man he is, he used a lot of his life savings to pay for my father's education to make sure he would have a good life. When I went to visit the restaurant he worked at, we had lunch with the boss of the restaurant, where he spoke to us about my grandfather. After he finished talking he said "He was a good, hard working and selfless man" and I am sure everyone that has met him would agree.
comments: this is a good essay and really talks about your grandfather's life. i could tell that you appreciate your grandfather. i am sorry for your loss. wish your family and you the best. i put in my comments in your essay. good luck.