There are a lot of people that I could write this speech about. Too many really. So before I started writing, I had to ask myself: “What has made the biggest impact in my life, and who caused this impact to happen?” After little contemplation, I came to my conclusion. I am grateful, above all, that my father, Rick Hanley, is here in my life. He has truly changed me to be who I am today.
Along with many memories, I came across a quote that may help me and many others through life. “Don’t judge people… you don’t know their life.” If everybody obeyed this quote, I find that life would be much better. Everyone gets judged by people who don’t know their lives… including me. I haven’t told many people the life that I’ve lived, how I’ve changed since grade 8. So I decided that now is the time to share.
Throughout the summer of 2008 my dad was getting these strange feelings. He described these feelings as his head “spinning”, not understanding what people are saying, everything being a blur, and not being able to pick out words. These feelings came to my dad often. Finally, on October 27, 2008, the day of my brothers 10th birthday, he couldn’t handle these feelings any longer, my father decided to go to the hospital.
The next day, he came home, sat me and my brother down, and told us the news that would change my life forever. My father had a brain tumor. Most people think that it’s sad, devastating… but I was only 12. I didn’t think of the possible damages that could happen to him. I thought that it would go away, that it was no big deal. But as I grew older my knowledge increased and I now know the outcome.
My dad lost his license, lost his job, and lost most of his life. Because of the change in his life, mine was bound to change as well. It was unpreventable. My life was changed in a matter of days. I couldn’t make plans. If dad wasn’t feeling good, my plans disappeared and I stayed home to help him out. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary.
The tumor kept growing and never shrinking, so finally my dad had no choice but to get surgery. So on June 28th 2010, he was off to London where I would not see him for another week. The surgery was a success, though they could not obtain the whole tumor. But after the surgery, I was there beside him, every other day, despite my plans. My dad turned out alright afterwards, only to thrust lessons upon me.
Through him I learned to live on the edge and take life as it comes to me. He taught me a lot these past three years, and hopefully theres more to come. He has changed my life to who you all know me to be today. So overall, I am grateful, that my father, Rick Hanley, is here in my life. He has changed my life for the best.
~Richard Hanley, March 7, 1961-
April 28, 2011~
