Who’s the most important person in your life? Now picture your life without that person. It’s scary, right? Father’s Day 2017, for me that nightmare almost became a reality.

It was early in the morning as I walked downstairs to wish my dad a Happy Father’s Day, however, what my eleven-year-old self saw, was something an eleven-year-old should have never seen. It was my role model, best friend, and dad lying on the floor barely able to speak or move. He was trying to form words like “help”, but was incapable. Eventually, my mom and brother sprinted down the stairs and called 911. I was unsure what was going on, as I was naive and young. The only thing I felt I could do was to run into my room and cry. 

The thought of losing my best friend was raging through my mind. From my window, I stood watching my father- the man who last year was so dedicated to his Halloween costume that he painted himself head to toe in minion yellow- lie motionless, as he was wheeled into an ambulance as he hung lifeless.

My brother and I watched the ambulance that both my Father and Mother were in, turn the corner on its way to South Nassau hospital, leaving us with so many unanswered questions. What had happened to him? Are they ever coming home?

Once my parents departed for the hospital, my brother took on a huge responsibility. He was 15 at the time and took on the role of my parental figure, even though he was just as afraid as I was. He held my head up when I felt I was going to fall to the floor with nerves, he talked me through the tears, and never left my side.

The remainder of the day moved slower than a snail. My brother and I sat, waiting for my mom to call with an update. We stared at the phone, anticipating for it to ring. When it finally did, I started shaking uncontrollably. What was she going to say? Was he alive? I prepared myself for the worst. We picked up and I heard my mom’s voice on the other line. She sounded hopeless and heavyhearted as she explained to us that my dad had experienced a brain bleed and it was unclear if he would survive, but they are doing everything that they can. This news left me speechless.

When the call was over I glanced around the room. As I did so one thing caught my eye and that was an image of my family. Four people with the brightest and purest smiles, hugging each other in matching Yankee jerseys. Tears flooded my eyes as I screamed to my brother “We didn’t even get to say goodbye.”

The next day our questions remained unanswered, however, I had to shift my mindset because that was the day of my elementary school graduation. At the time, I was Vice President of the school, so it was my job to make a speech. As I made my speech to a room filled with mothers, fathers, and grandparents, I noticed the seat next to my mom was missing. That seat was meant for my dad. The image of him lying in a hospital bed ran through my mind. It was at that moment that I realized I was much braver than I thought I was.

Days later after lots of medicine and tests, we received the news that my dad would be okay. It would take time, but he was expected to fully recover. This outcome was nothing that I had expected, but I could not be more thankful.

As time moved on I watched my dad slowly recover. He learned how to talk and walk again. As we approach today, 2022 almost 5 years later, my dad has almost fully recovered. While there are times that the right side of his body gives out, and times where he has trouble talking and walking, I am always there to help him. I am there for him to lean on me for stability and to assist him if he needs help forming a sentence.

This entire situation has shaped me as a person tremendously. I learned patience as I waited for answers about my dad, bravery as I stood up in front of a crowd of people at the lowest point in my life, independence as I spent countless days with my brother, taking care of ourselves, and most importantly gratefulness. Almost losing my father taught me to never take my family for granted and to forever be grateful for the time I spend with them.