Page 86 - Life Legacy Project

Inspiration
Andy Omdal
“The key to a good life is to not mess it up,” my beloved grandpa, Andy Omdal, once said. I would like to recognize my Grandpa Andy because he is my inspiration. One thing that I hope to accomplish in life is to have my life be as successful as his. By successful I don’t mean money wise, I mean love and happiness wise. He is loved by all and loves all. I’ve only ever seen a smile on his face and a spring in his step.
My grandpa grew up as a middle-class farmer in Bow, Washington. Growing up, Andy was very sassy and stubborn, he knew what he wanted and he went out and got it. One time, when he was only 2 years old, he wanted a cookie. He asked his parents and they both said “no”. Refusing to take no as an answer, he walked across one of the busiest streets in Bow to his neighbor's house and asked them for a cookie! Of course they gave it to him, how can you say no to a 2 year old who can already cross the street by themselves?
My grandpas full name is Andrew Nelson Omdal. He got his first name from his maternal grandfather and his middle name from his paternal grandfather. His last name, Omdal, comes from a small town in Norway called Omdal where his family was from. He was born in 1942 in Burlington Hospital Burlington, which is now about where Fairhaven Apartments are.
When was a kid he worked on his family's farm. He would feed the animals (400 cows, 200 chickens, and a few others). Then, when he turned 12, he started driving tractors and such through the fields. He had 1 brother and 2 sisters, all younger. While growing up he loved science fiction and he loved to imagine a whole new world. In this world he wouldn’t have to work, he wouldn’t have to own a farm, and he wouldn’t have to drive a tractor ever again.
When my grandpa was younger, he didn’t want to be any of the usual childhood jobs like an astronaut, or a police officer, and he definitely didn’t want to be a farmer. He wanted to be an accountant. He always liked numbers and money intrigued him. He now works at Skagit Bank as an appraiser. He decides how much a house is worth.
While growing up, he had a number of role models and people he looked up to. His family, preachers, and friends all played big roles in his life. He always believed in a brighter future and a better tomorrow.
I love my grandpa a lot. He has always been there for me and I hope to be there for him all the time. I can always tell him anything and he will always give me good advice. My grandfather is a trustworthy, kindhearted man. I hope to be as accomplished as him when I grow up.
Thank you grandpa.
By Lisa Omdal
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