moments of life

Everyone's life is made up of moments. Some are easily forgotten, but some become memories that last a lifetime. Some moments are magical and some are horrifying. Some seem like no big deal, but later become the fork in the road that changed your life. Sometimes we do not know when moments will become major memories, but sometimes you know right then that this moment will be with you forever, like a photograph in your mind.

In my life so far, I have had many major moments that turned into permanent memories. Most of them are positive, like graduating high school and falling in love. Some are embarrassing like the time I ran into a telephone pole and fractured my toe. But the moment a few days ago when my family's fears were confirmed, that my dad has lung cancer, will become another one of those major moments.

He had symptoms of a health issue for months, but was stubborn and assumed it was not a major deal. After seeing a doctor and getting some tests done they confirmed our worst nightmare.

The moment I figured out was when I listened to a seventeen second voicemail from my dad. Every time my dad has left me a voicemail in the past it had always started the same, "Hey Nad, it's dad", but not this one. He went straight to the point. He did not go into detail or cry, he just informed me that he would be going to a cancer center for treatment in the near future and if I wanted to I could give him a call back. He acted as though it was just another normal day, and a normal call, with average news.

It was far from average though. I was so upset thinking he would never be able to walk me down the aisle when I get married. He would not get to see me grow as a person and be apart of my life. This cancer could take his life and there is nothing I can do about it.

After the initial mourning, I decided not to let cancer win. I remain positive and pray that he will make it through treatment with a clean bill of health. Eventually,  this situation will not be looked back on with tears of sadness.

This is one of those moments that will become a memory for me. This is a memory that will begin the triumphant story of how my dad kicked cancer's ass.

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