It is hard to process when tragedy strikes. Every day, you watch the news, seeing people going through awful situations, but you never imagine that something like this could happen to you. Then it does.

   On Friday, February 24th, 2023,  my father was hospitalized after having a heart attack. His coworkers convinced him to go to the hospital, and he was terrified beyond comparison. My dad had a 95% chance of dying if he hadn’t made it to the hospital in time. They operated on him, putting stents in his heart and saving my dad’s life. If he hadn’t gotten to the hospital when he did, and been as strong as he was, my dad would be dead.

   I didn’t quite know how to process everything once I found out. I woke up and something about the day just seemed off, something was destined to go wrong. But I never would have thought that an event of this magnitude would happen. I didn’t know what state he was in, whether he would be okay, and I was terrified. 

   Seeing my dad in the hospital was hard. He was completely and utterly drained, the weakest I have ever seen him. I knew he was still fighting on, pushing through all the hardship so he could come home to us, but just seeing him in such a vulnerable state wrecked me. 

   I have always seen my dad as one of the strongest people in my life. Besides being physically strong through coaching wrestling and football, as well as wrestling in his youth, he has always been able to get through whatever cards life dealt him. Our family has had a lot of misfortune over the years, through loss, illness and injury.He’s always been able to take life by the horns, doing everything he can to protect and support our family. Even in his condition, he’s still standing strong, doing everything he can to be there for us. He keeps fighting on for all he has to live for, and I am incredibly proud of him for how brave he’s been.

   My dad’s courage and indomitable will are inspirational to me. Despite such an unforeseen roadblock, he fights for what he has. He fights to see his children succeed, to cherish his wife, to mentor his students, to coach his wrestlers, to live and love his wonderful life. 

   It’s so easy to become distracted by everything bad that happens in your life. Junior year has been particularly hard, from the stress of grades to friend drama; everything is so overwhelming, and it’s hard to not let it consume you. But a situation like this puts everything in perspective, and it made me realize just how lucky I am. I have an incredible support system, filled with family and friends who care immensely about me. I have a life filled with opportunity and greatness: I need to remember that more often. 

   Remember that it is all worth it in the end, all the peril, the highs and the lows, to get to your destination. To keep moving forward, despite all odds, and make your mark on the world. To see the triumph of your loved ones, the amazing things along the horizon. You just need to keep moving forward, despite how much you may want to give up. Keep going so you can live to see the light on the horizon. You will live to grow and appreciate all the wonderful things around you, and grow to live a gracious and prosperous life. Thank you Dad, for inspiring me to keep moving forward.