Learning Experiences in My Life Was Going

¶ … learning experiences in my life was going through the stages of dying with my family when my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer. The lessons learned through this experience have proven to be invaluable and I know will continue to be one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. My grandfather was ill for approximately two years. He went through several treatment options to reduce the tumors in his lungs, and with each treatment, he and the family endured a roller coaster of emotions.

Everyone, including my grandfather, tried to remain optimistic and project a positive attitude, however, underneath the surface, everyone knew the odds of success were very slim, and at best would only buy precious little time. Moreover, options were somewhat limited due to his age and overall health. After all reasonable options were exhausted, the decision was made to bring him home, under hospice care, to live the remaining months surrounded by his family and friends, and his favorite things.

Some of his favorite things were his awards for local community service he had been involved with for the last thirty years, and his history books. The books were his passion and represented his thirst for knowledge, while his service awards represented his validation selflessness and his commitment to the service of others. It was said many times by all who knew him, that my grandfather did not simply pay lip service, he truly walked his talk.

During the last few months of his life, he was visited daily by various friends, some old, some new, as well as family, immediate and even some distant relations. I must say that although I had always loved my grandfather, I never realized until those last few months what a truly remarkable human being he was. The experience of watching him slowly slip away little by little each day is etched in my heart for eternity. I learned so much. I learned compassion, humility, empathy, and respect.

I thought I knew these things, and possessed these values, but this experience taught me that I had not a clue as to their true meanings. I just thought I knew what it meant to respect someone. I just thought I knew what it meant to be humble. I just thought I knew what it meant to be totally empathic and feel true compassion. I realized that most people only think they possess or feel these things, however most people most.