No matter the passion I pursued, how much he understood it, or his level of pain my dad gave me unconditional support. In 2013, my dad passed away after a four year battle with prostate cancer. Observing how my dad and family handled his illness impacted how I perceive and interact with my day to day. I was 11 years old on December 30th, 2013, the day he passed. Although I was so young, the years leading up gave me an awareness of what that moment meant. During his illness, I experienced an overwhelming amount of compassion. My aunt organized a giant book fair that amounted to two levels of her church filled with donated books. All proceeds went towards my dad's treatments. The nurses at the hospital knew our names, brought us treats they knew we liked, and brought in an extra bed the night we had a sleepover. Seeing our community's reaction to my dad's diagnosis revealed to me that being human is holding compassion. A lesson I am so thankful for when the world drives me to think otherwise. Before he became sick he was involved in every aspect of my life, and was excited for hobbies and interests I found. After his diagnosis nothing changed. My wonderful mom and him found a way to give me horseback riding lessons, he was always smiling at the fence with my watchful mom beside him. He came to every band concert even though he didn't have any knowledge of music, or couldn't sit for very long. He took me to a bat convention where we both enthusiastically oo'd and aa'd at the surplus of bat facts. My art was always thoroughly inspected through squinted eyes after his reading glasses were put on. My dad absolutely loved life, and absolutely loved me. Now when I catastrophize I remember what we went through. I experienced a life altering tragedy, and simultaneously had a beautiful childhood. I can experience terrible things, I can struggle but it won't take away my passion to live. The 4 years my dad was ill impacted me greatly. However, afterward shaped me into who I am. I had always been very attached to my mom, but after we came home I never left her side. My mom is the most incredible person I know. After coming home that night, now a single mother of 3, she learned that a blizzard was on its way. She was terrified, there was so much she hadn't done without my dad. I never knew her over preparedness with snow stemmed from that night because she showered the day in sledding and hot coco. I never knew of the financial issues we faced, or fear she felt. Although her sacrifices gave my life a sense of normalcy, I now see how the years of repression have effected her. Getting older I could sense when she wasn't okay, but she kept her emotions close to herself. I've learned that balance is important. Knowing when strength is also vulnerability, and accepting support. By watching my dad's cancer progress, I encountered death slowly, as a gentle inevitably. My proximity to mortality impacted my emotional awareness. I want to feel a breadth of emotions, and be sensitive to my world. It won't always feel comfortable, but it makes me human.