It was in the darkened corridor of the University Hospital during the early hours of the morning while sitting at a card table putting together pieces of a puzzle, my life felt as if it was coming off the rails. Figuratively and literally, these puzzle pieces represented myself sorting out memories, thoughts, questions, and struggling to understand what the loss of one of the most significant figures of my upbringing will look like without his guidance and love.
“Your grandfather has cancer.” In the not so distant past the same words echoed with my mother’s diagnoses and once again being confronted with this undesirable announcement has me shaken. The element of pain that must be endured when one first hears that a family member has cancer …show more content…
He was an exceptional man, even as he was fighting against cancer complications. He fought with more strength and courage than one can imagine. He never complained. My granddad was expending such energy and will and strength, fighting for more time, still talking about the future and what he wanted to do. He never quite accepted his own greatness for all that he had done. That is not to say he was not proud, he was, but he was not vain at all. He was the most down-to-earth person you could know. My grandfather and I were extremely close and he was and always will be a source of my biggest inspiration. He always stood by my side as my biggest cheer leader. My grandfather worked arduously on the farm his entire life with a steadfast strong work ethic, humble honesty, and the greatest quality he held was unconditional love. Above all, my grandfather was a grand optimist and looked for the good in people and situations. His sense of humor, wisdom, kindness and his unlimited supportive love are qualities that he passed down to me and for that I am very appreciative. He will forever remain a source of strength for myself and my family. I will never forget the time we spent together, even though it ended far too …show more content…
Taking an active role within my community enables to better the lives of the disadvantaged and provides me with countless opportunities which enrich my life. There were no high fives, nothing celebratory when I won the Edmonton Young Women of Action award in 2007; however, I knew Grandpa was fulfilled with contentment because I was proud. He was content because his mission was fulfilled. He wanted to expand my knowledge of responsibility and teach me to make our community a better place to live. He watched me complete ten years of Girl Guides, volunteering, work hard with my studies and accomplish many other commitments. He drove me to the Red Cross to clean medical equipment on my days off from school. He enjoyed many Heritage Festivals while I had the tedious work of voluntarily picking garbage in the summer’s hot sun. Participating in Food Bank food drives, sending gifts overseas through Samaritan’s Purse, decorating the North East Community Hospital at Christmas, or taking a leadership role in Environmental Issues at school all the while maintaining good grades all requires the qualities of discipline and good will which my grandfather instilled in
“Your grandfather has cancer.” In the not so distant past the same words echoed with my mother’s diagnoses and once again being confronted with this undesirable announcement has me shaken. The element of pain that must be endured when one first hears that a family member has cancer …show more content…
He was an exceptional man, even as he was fighting against cancer complications. He fought with more strength and courage than one can imagine. He never complained. My granddad was expending such energy and will and strength, fighting for more time, still talking about the future and what he wanted to do. He never quite accepted his own greatness for all that he had done. That is not to say he was not proud, he was, but he was not vain at all. He was the most down-to-earth person you could know. My grandfather and I were extremely close and he was and always will be a source of my biggest inspiration. He always stood by my side as my biggest cheer leader. My grandfather worked arduously on the farm his entire life with a steadfast strong work ethic, humble honesty, and the greatest quality he held was unconditional love. Above all, my grandfather was a grand optimist and looked for the good in people and situations. His sense of humor, wisdom, kindness and his unlimited supportive love are qualities that he passed down to me and for that I am very appreciative. He will forever remain a source of strength for myself and my family. I will never forget the time we spent together, even though it ended far too …show more content…
Taking an active role within my community enables to better the lives of the disadvantaged and provides me with countless opportunities which enrich my life. There were no high fives, nothing celebratory when I won the Edmonton Young Women of Action award in 2007; however, I knew Grandpa was fulfilled with contentment because I was proud. He was content because his mission was fulfilled. He wanted to expand my knowledge of responsibility and teach me to make our community a better place to live. He watched me complete ten years of Girl Guides, volunteering, work hard with my studies and accomplish many other commitments. He drove me to the Red Cross to clean medical equipment on my days off from school. He enjoyed many Heritage Festivals while I had the tedious work of voluntarily picking garbage in the summer’s hot sun. Participating in Food Bank food drives, sending gifts overseas through Samaritan’s Purse, decorating the North East Community Hospital at Christmas, or taking a leadership role in Environmental Issues at school all the while maintaining good grades all requires the qualities of discipline and good will which my grandfather instilled in