Lakshman S., Centerville High School
Smile
“It is time for me to leave this world, son.” These were his words during the most stressful moment in his life. He has been through many problems in life… But not anything like this.
It was the fall of 2021. We were in India. I was a 6th grader pursuing my education in the bustling city of Chennai. It was a usual day after school. I was at home doing my homework when the news struck me like a bolt of lightning. My mom came rushing into my bedroom… She said my grandpa has cancer. My heart stopped. Memories of him ran through my mind. My mom herself was not in a state to help me through this. I have never thought something like this could happen to him. I immediately called him. He said, “Nothing to worry about… the doctor said he could operate on it and remove it.” I was relieved. The doctor performed a great operation. My family was happy, but things were not going to get better.
It was the summer of 2023. We were in the US. Not even two full years have passed since the operation, but my grandpa has cancer again. This time it was less severe. However, my family felt miserable, and we were on vacation, which made things worse. The doctor still said it was removable and performed another successful operation, but disaster was to strike again.
It was the summer of this year. My grandfather has cancer yet again, and this time, no one had hopes. The doctor said it was not operatable and he might have only two more months left. My whole family was in the barren living room, crying. My grandpa wasn’t aware that he only had months left… but he figured it out. That is when he said to me those dreadful words. “It is time for me, son.” That is when I realized something. Nothing in life is permanent. I was about to cry, but for my grandpa, I smiled and said, “Who said you are going to die? You will be cured. Nothing is impossible, Grandpa. Everyone out there might be crying because of this. But if I do too, who will have your back?” Those words changed his view on things. My parents heard my words and realized how upset my grandpa was. They decided that they were committing a terrible mistake and joined my motivation to put him on his way towards recovery.
Now, he is under medical care and is improving. Medicine is not the only thing that is helping him. It is the courage that we gave him, too. Whenever I look back on this, courage and perseverance are the only thing that comes to my mind. This inspired me to have that smile on at all times. Even when things don’t go well, never take that smile off your face. Not only does it help you, but it also helps the people around you.
