Caroline P., Oakwood High School
Living the Legacy
The manual to a perfect life does not exist. However, I feel fortunate to have learned many life lessons from someone I cherish most; my grandfather. He has modeled the importance of optimism and personal connections in pursuing life to its fullest. These two factors, I believe, create success and happiness in life.
In the fall of 2025, my 92 year old grandfather came to live with my family while undergoing treatment for his metastatic cancer. A retired Marine veteran and professor, who has climbed Mount Fuji and even built his own house, was now condemned to a hospital bed in the corner of our home. He could no longer use the restroom, sleep, nor eat whole foods without assistance. Yet, his attitude and positivity never dwindled during the difficult treatments. In contrast, I too often returned home from school complaining about things that bothered me. By observing my grandfather’s positive attitude, I began to realize that I was wasting away my life with negativity. Rather than dwelling on his pain and limitations, he chose to converse, and tell us stories about his many adventures.
Another lesson learned from my grandfather during his stay is the importance of friendship and connections. In his free time, he often phoned friends and welcomed many visitors into our home. One of his former students from fifty years ago even flew in from Miami to see him. My mother recalls him memorizing index cards about each of his students, including their hometown and areas of interest, and loved to hear where they ended up in life. His main phone companion, Don ( his former college roommate) was also struggling with his health at the time, yet they still called each other almost daily. Despite communication difficulties, both struggling with hearing impairment, they never missed an opportunity to talk. My grandpa''s dedication to maintaining connections showed me the value of relationships, as well as how he reaped the benefits of lasting friendships by making the effort to stay in touch. I believe we must prioritize personal connections and relationships in order to live our lives to the fullest.
In a few months, my grandfather will turn 93. He is now back home in Indiana and his cancer levels are undetectable. He and my grandmother visit frequently throughout the year for various medical appointments and are two of my closest companions. I will always appreciate this time with my grandfather and his vast impact on my life. I originally focused on the negatives of this experience, due to my fear of his illness. However, I now see it through a different lens, and know he influenced my life for the better. I am blessed to have learned from such an impactful person that the key to a good life is maintaining a positive attitude and prioritizing friendships. Through these lessons, I hope to emulate him in my old age–so much fun that my grandchildren and friends will still want to spend time with me as well!
