A year ago my life was very different, not only was I in a different relationship, working at a job I hate etc but my dad was very sick. As many of you know my dad was diagnosed in early 2012 with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. Last summer was very rough on my family. My dad was very sick and almost did not make it.
I look at my dad today, post stem cell transplant, working full time, talking about playing golf again, etc and I just am in awe of his strength. I am in awe of what he has taught me this year. He has come so unbelievably far and I could not be more proud and more thankful and more blessed. My dad and I have always been close. I am his only child so the last year has not only been hard on me but I had no one who understood what I was going through. Sure my family understood from their perspective but not from mine. I learned that when you think life cant get any lower it either will or it will surprise the hell out of you and start to bounce back.
My dad showed me that no matter how tough something is you have two choices: fight or flight.
Looking Back I see a different girl. A girl who thought her world was unchangeable and that it would be the same forever. My dad being so sick showed me that you have to appreciate each day because you may not get another.
Watching my dad suffer the way he did and bounce back to the point where he is working in the yard again(something he loves) working at his office everyday(something he loves) and spending holidays with his family(the most important thing to him) shows me that no matter what happens in life you can bounce back. You will bounce back.
My dad is my hero. I look at him and I see such a brave, strong man that I am lucky to have and call my dad.
Looking back I know this past year not only changed him, but changed me and the rest of my family. Not for the worst but for the better.
What is something hard that made you stronger and changed you for the better?
I’m so happy to hear your dad is doing so well now. Sounds like he came out stronger than before and so did you. Sometimes it takes something so devastating to put things in perspective. It lets us know life is very short and you need to do what makes you happy and be around people who make you happy, because you never know when it will end. Wishing continued good health to your dad 🙂
Awww so lucky, my loved one didn’t survive her cancer fight…But these things certainly put a new perspective on life, my recent loss has put my butt in a different gear with work and everyone in the family has changed come to think of it!
hope I didn’t offend by saying you are fortunate, but my grief is really fresh. I am glad you got to spend more time with your dad, what a strong guy
So proud of how far you have come and where you are. Life constantly amazes us and gives us curve balls and you have handled it like a pro lady!
So glad your father is in such better health! Your positivity is wonderful and you and your family have clearly turned his illness into something of hope – so inspiring Neely 🙂
What a beautiful post. I love reading inspirational, happy things like this. I’m so glad your dad is doing well and has provided such inspiration for you and everyone reading!
So glad to hear that your dad is doing so well!!
I think everything we endure has the ability to cripple us or heal us. I am so glad your dad is doing so well and you too..
What an amazing story! Glad your dad was one of the ones to make it.
What made me stronger is my Dad dying when I was little and watching my Mom raise 3 kids and pay a mortgage on her own working 2-3 jobs. She made me stronger by example and today I am who I am because of my Mom. She changed her life by going back to school, taking on new jobs and then selling her house she paid off alone and retiring to a place she loved at 60 years old to live by the ocean. Being proud of who she was and how strong she was-was so inspiring. That was inspiring to see her allow herself pure happiness and forge a new life by herself at 60 years old. .
I am so glad your Dad is doing well. He sounds like a amazing Dad.
Good for you for finding a negative and turning it into a positive. So glad he’s okay and you’re better for the experience 🙂 xoxo
I was just thinking the other day how much change I’ve noticed in your posts and tweets. You are, indeed, a happier, stronger and more confident person than you were a year ago. Keep it going. 🙂
Happy your dad is doing well too =) dont know you that well but wishing you all the best =)
So so glad he is okay!
This is awesome and I’m totally crying right now. Your dad rocks – seriously – what an incredibly brave and strong man. And you, too – for making it through as well – I cannot even imagine!