Life Lessons by Mackenzie

Life Lessons by Mackenzie - October 2013 Scholarship Essay

“It couldn’t possibly be true.” I thought to myself.
I was naïve, devastated, and most of all heart broken. I was told only a few months ago the cancer was gone. How could it be back? This wasn’t supposed to happen, not again.
After visiting my uncle Steve in the hospital I could tell something was wrong. Things just didn’t feel right. He had been in and out of the hospital for treatment before but hadn’t stayed for more than a few hours at a time. I realized this wasn’t just another treatment, this was serious.
Driving home from the visit I wondered why no one gave me any information. I was 14; I could handle whatever it was that they weren’t telling me. I began to dwell on it until finally I asked, “It’s back, isn’t it?”
My parents looked as if they had been waiting for me to ask that very question. “Yes, the cancer has come back and more aggressive this time. You need to come to the realization that this might be it. This may be the last few weeks you have with him.”
I was shocked. Things like this only happened in movies. He was cancer free, had a wife and 4 young children. He couldn’t just die and leave them behind. Of course there was always that possibility but I never thought it would come down to it. “His doctor is giving him medication and treatment, right?” I asked. “Can’t they surgically remove it like last time?”
Tears in her eyes, my mom said, “Honey, they have done all they can. Uncle Steve’s body is too weak for anymore surgery. They will try more chemo but it’s very unlikely it will help. He’s been told to start making arrangements and say his goodbyes.”
Every day after school we would go up to the hospital and spend time with my Aunt, cousins, and uncle. There were always so many people there. One by one they would have their own special moment with him. Until one day, it was my turn.
I was just sitting on the side of the bed until it all finally hit me. In that one second the weight of the whole thing fell on my shoulders. He was going to die. The fight was over. I began to cry.
“Come here kenz.” He said to me.
I shifted over, looked at him, but didn’t say anything.
“I want you to take care of my girls for me, okay? I want them to turn out to be just like you. Can you do that for me?”
I shook my head. He gave me a hug. I didn’t know he had started crying until he said, “I love you.”
After two weeks in the hospital, he was sent home to be comfortable. He was home with his family for about 4 more weeks after that. I visited him every day.
Super Bowl Sunday we got the phone call. I don’t remember much after that. I was depressed and never had to deal with a tragedy like this before. I had also, never cried so much in my life. Nor, had I seen so much love for one person. Losing my Uncle was the hardest thing I have ever dealt with in my life so far. To this day it’s still hard for me to see his family without him.
This event and the emotions I felt defined the person I am today. I don’t take things for granted, like my family, my friends, and most of all my life. I live life everyday thanking god that I’m here; I’m able to cherish my family, love them, and be loved by them.
A person is defined by events and struggles in their own lives. Even though losing my uncle was hard, I’m glad something positive came of it. I feel like I enjoy the little things in life like my family, the ability to love, and be loved because of him. When I had to say goodbye, at that moment I became a person who really focused on the good in life, who cherished, and appreciated the people that I loved. This moment/event defined me.