Personal Narrative: How My Dad Changed My Life

I didn’t know heartbreak until June 28, when my dad told me that he had stage 4 cancer. I didn’t know fear until August 13, when I found out that he would have to undergo radiation to combat a tumor in his brain. I didn’t know weariness until August 24, when everyone at school talked about how great their summer had been, and I had to lie and say that mine had been fine. I didn’t know how deep my love for my dad ran until June 29, when I wiped away my tears, stood a little straighter, and vowed to help him find little rays of light in even the worst days. The night I found out about my dad, I couldn’t understand why this was happening to me. At first, all I could think of were moments that he wouldn’t be able to witness. From seeing me graduate college to walking me down the aisle, it felt like I was being hit with a tsunami as I realized that soon, I would have to walk the path of life without my dad. How was it fair that I would have my dad ripped from my life after only 15, 16, or 17 years? I spent so much time feeling bad for myself that I didn’t see just how lucky I really was. While there are people in this world who have never known their parents, I’ve been blessed to know my father for 15 years. Despite the fact that many people in this world take their parents for granted,
I was lucky enough to receive a reality check and understand that I need to show my family how much I love and appreciate them. My family is filled with so much love and support, but there are people in this world who don’t have that blessing, and I think that’s the real tragedy in all of this. Since my dad was diagnosed, I’ve really begun to appreciate the little things.
When we drive around town and get a milkshake, it means so much more now that I know our time together isn’t limitless. More than anything, I’m finally beginning to see everything my dad does for me—even after chemo, he still cracks a joke. Even when he’s tired and fatigued, he asks how my day was. At the end of the day, it’s a parent’s duty to teach their children important life lessons, and my dad has unintentionally taught me the most important lesson of all. Just by watching him these past couple months, I’ve learned how to handle adversity with grace and to always look on the bright
side. While my life and my family’s life could definitely be better, it could also be so much worse. We’re dealing with this well financially, driving only 30 minutes to receive treatment from one of the best cancer centers in the world, and receiving an immense amount of support from our community. The doctors at Duke told my dad that the key to beating cancer is staying mentally tough. Cancer isn’t something you deal with for a week or even a month—it’s a marathon that is battled for years. It’s imperative to take things one day at a time and stay positive, because no matter how bad things get, there’s always a chance for tomorrow to be better. Ultimately, happiness is cumulative; if you find something good in each day, even the darkest sky can be illuminated, and this is something I truly believe.