Importance of Family

Importance of Family

Family is one of the most valuable and irreplaceable things that one will be blessed with in a lifetime. Family is always there no matter what the problem may be. However, family members do not live forever; they could be gone in a blink of an eye. For this reason, family and the time one has with them should be cherished.
On December 19,2005 my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer. The doctor said that is was not an extreme cause; however, he would have to undergo some Chemotherapy. He had a good chance for surviving this terrible disease. I was never extremely close to my grandfather, just because of the fact that we did not live close to each other. The only times that I every saw him were at family gatherings and a few unexpected visits my family and I made. I would always give him a hug and an occasional kiss on the cheek when I saw him, and then when it was time to leave we would exchange “I Love You’s” and I would be on my way. When I first heard that he was diagnosed with cancer, it hit me hard. I had experienced a family member trying to fight the disease, and I wondered if I would ever really know how truly amazing my grandfather was.
At the next doctor visit, we found out the cancer had spread to his brain and was quickly distributing itself throughout the rest of his body. I slowly watched this disease take control of my grandfather. He began to lose his hair and was unable to speak clearly, and it was hard for me to look at him without crying. On April 2, 2006 I got a call from my mother saying that my “Papa” had passed away. I couldn’t believe the words that I was hearing, it just didn’t seem real to me that he could actually be gone. At his viewing it finally sank in. My grandmother had a slide show playing beside his body, and there I sat with my mother and other family and watched the memories of that amazing man. I got a better understanding of who my grandfather was, just by looking at a few pictures.   I cherish the time that I spent with...