My Hero: How Jeff Bunday Changed My Life
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines cancer as, "a serious disease caused by cells that are not normal and that can spread to one or many parts of the body." Many survivors deem cancer, "the hardest battle ever fought." Although, I define cancer as a disease so strong it can metastasize out of the body and into relationships.
A multitude of people have someone in their lives they call "hero." This person could be a fictional character, celebrity, or a seemingly ordinary person who takes them for ice cream and teaches them how to achieve their greatest dreams. I fall into the latter group. My hero's name was Jeff Bunday, and he was the greatest man I have ever known. He managed to changed my life in ways many have never bothered trying to.Also,
he was so excited to see what I would do in life, vowed to teach me to drive a stick shift, and swore he would embarrass me as much as humanly possible at my high school graduation. However, sometimes, promises and expectations get thrown to the wayside by unexpected misfortunes.
At the tender age of thirteen, I received news that Jeff became diagnosed with terminal stage four lung cancer. I will never forget the way my knees buckled and I crumpled to the ground like a discarded tissue. My whole world had been violently upturned at the use of just a few words, one prays are never strung together for them to hear. Tragedy hit me hard and I behaved like a child would by reacting in anger opposed to empathy. I became bitter and argumentative with Jeff any time I saw him because I felt terror when thinking of watching him die. At first, I thought if I was not present as he deteriorated to skin and bones, it would not happen; it was a childish belief, but one I clung to. Then, fast forward to July 2012, I had succeeded in my attempts to estrange him, and he let me. We volleyed hurtful comments between us until one or the other stormed off. It was the most emotionally painful thing I have ever experienced.
Three days before my freshman year, I awoke to the agonizing truth, he was still dying and I was ruining what little time we had left. I sobbed and screamed, but I swore I would call him that day to rebuild the bridge I had set on fire. I had no idea if he would even listen or care anymore, but I knew I would never forgive myself if I did not at least try. A few minutes later, I became very ill and fell asleep to escape the pain. When I awoke, I felt better and went to call him, but he has passed away not an hour before I tried to call. He died alone, while his new wife and stepdaughter went to church. My aunt later confessed that Jeff said I would be the last thought on his mind before he died. Everyone has failures, and I think about mine every day, but instead of continuing to beat myself up, I learned from them. I still try to make him proud through utilizing the skills he taught to me. He instilled in me how important grades, extracurricular activities, and community service are. Also, I will never forget the way he told me I could accomplish anything I set my mind to. Although, the way I handled the situation was my greatest failure, I constantly choose to learn from it opposed to wallowing in a bad situation I will never be able to change.
A multitude of people have someone in their lives they call "hero." This person could be a fictional character, celebrity, or a seemingly ordinary person who takes them for ice cream and teaches them how to achieve their greatest dreams. I fall into the latter group. My hero's name was Jeff Bunday, and he was the greatest man I have ever known. He managed to changed my life in ways many have never bothered trying to.Also,
he was so excited to see what I would do in life, vowed to teach me to drive a stick shift, and swore he would embarrass me as much as humanly possible at my high school graduation. However, sometimes, promises and expectations get thrown to the wayside by unexpected misfortunes.
At the tender age of thirteen, I received news that Jeff became diagnosed with terminal stage four lung cancer. I will never forget the way my knees buckled and I crumpled to the ground like a discarded tissue. My whole world had been violently upturned at the use of just a few words, one prays are never strung together for them to hear. Tragedy hit me hard and I behaved like a child would by reacting in anger opposed to empathy. I became bitter and argumentative with Jeff any time I saw him because I felt terror when thinking of watching him die. At first, I thought if I was not present as he deteriorated to skin and bones, it would not happen; it was a childish belief, but one I clung to. Then, fast forward to July 2012, I had succeeded in my attempts to estrange him, and he let me. We volleyed hurtful comments between us until one or the other stormed off. It was the most emotionally painful thing I have ever experienced.
Three days before my freshman year, I awoke to the agonizing truth, he was still dying and I was ruining what little time we had left. I sobbed and screamed, but I swore I would call him that day to rebuild the bridge I had set on fire. I had no idea if he would even listen or care anymore, but I knew I would never forgive myself if I did not at least try. A few minutes later, I became very ill and fell asleep to escape the pain. When I awoke, I felt better and went to call him, but he has passed away not an hour before I tried to call. He died alone, while his new wife and stepdaughter went to church. My aunt later confessed that Jeff said I would be the last thought on his mind before he died. Everyone has failures, and I think about mine every day, but instead of continuing to beat myself up, I learned from them. I still try to make him proud through utilizing the skills he taught to me. He instilled in me how important grades, extracurricular activities, and community service are. Also, I will never forget the way he told me I could accomplish anything I set my mind to. Although, the way I handled the situation was my greatest failure, I constantly choose to learn from it opposed to wallowing in a bad situation I will never be able to change.