by Nadia Ghanny

Created on: June 16, 2008   Last Updated: February 20, 2011

It has often been cited that the good values and teachings parents give us, is essential for the future foundation of who we become as adults. I have had the privilege to have amazing parents in particular my father, the person who has taught me the essentials I require in order to live the way I am doing.

I vividly recall the phone call I received one night so many years ago, my dad explaining to me the disease, which had now invaded his body. I have always hated the word "cancer" but this was my reality and I knew what he had he would eventually succumb to. I dreaded the day, but with his positive mental thinking and perseverance allowed him to live for approximately 10 years with the disease.

Father's day was always a special day to me but became even more so when my dad was diagnosed with having cancer. Each time he had a 'bad' moment from chemo or racing emotions about dying, he would call me and we would often speak for hours on every subject one can imagine.   My dad taught me about politics, which happen to be one of his favorite subjects to discuss and we would often become so involved with debating I would sometimes become angry if he was unable to see my point of view. I would look back on such moments with joy.  My mom would later tell me that those phone calls made his day and he was always cheerful after speaking with me.

My father was often proactive in his children and it reflected in the characters he helped developed in each of us.  He would often say to me, "show me the company you keep and I will tell you who you are."  This happen to be a quote I use often.  He believed people should associate with positive people who wanted to move forward in life to personally and professionally excel.  Moreover, he detested ignorant, negative people and often would remind me to always expand my perspective so I am informed.  

Essentially,  for the most part of my life, my dad has been one of my biggest rocks, which grounds me securely and focused on the pursuit of my dreams.  I have accomplished almost everything because of him and his perspective on never giving up, which I have adopted.  The father's days I now spent without my father is at times difficult however, the essential lessons he has left me will always be a major part of who I am.   Consequently, for such reasons, my father is always close by even though he is no longer with me.

My father has left me something, which I continue to cherish and which will never tarnish or diminish and that would the sum of memories I have of my dad.  Whether they were positive or negative, the good ones for me often seem to outweigh the few bad one.  One of the major lessons I was taught was his perseverance and positive attitude even against all odds.  Lessons like this one has restored in me that no matter how bad something is we need to always view the glass as half full.  Albeit, the chaos of life, something positive often emerges.  

In conclusion, for me the memories of my father continues to linger and remembering my dad not only on father's day but on a daily basis is the best father's day gift I could now give him.

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