What does bravery really mean? Is it the bravery to hold on when you know the end is close and the battle you fought so hard is lost, or is it the capacity to face terrifying things?
For a sixteen-year-old girl, bravery meant standing by her father, who never wavered even under the most trying circumstances.
A man by the name of Tom Mitchell told the following tale.
This loving father remembered his daughter complaining that she didn’t feel well and requesting to be taken to the doctor because she thought she had a sinus infection.
Yes, sweetie, I’ll come get you tomorrow after school. If you’d like, we can have supper together afterward,” he replied.
The next day, the two did enjoy dinner together, but it was not at their preferred eatery. Rather, kids were having difficulty swallowing the food at Fairfax Hospital’s pediatric oncology unit. These father and daughter would have more than 450 meals there together, not to mention the hundreds more in the years that followed.
Instead of a sinus infection, his daughter had a massive tumor that had gone to her lungs and collapsed one.
It was a genuine struggle. Even though they knew it wouldn’t be simple, they were committed to fighting as a team.
Hodgkin’s illness, stage four, was Shayla’s diagnosis.
Tom tried to convey to them what it meant to be brave and withstand the trials and problems life placed in front of them by purchasing two sterling silver “feather” bracelets and placing one on each of their wrists.
Then he made three promises: he would stay at the hospital every night until Shayla was cancer-free; he would wear the bracelet until then; and he would persevere as long as she did.
Shayla’s cancer struggle dragged on for years, during which she had blood transfusions, chemotherapy, radiation, painkillers, and more medication. Her body could not take all of this, and as a result, her heart grew weak and a defibrillator had to be quickly implanted within her chest.
Shayla was getting ready for chemotherapy one day when she started screaming, “Help me, Dad! I’m shocked by it! ..I’m shocked by it.
Tom continued his explanation of what had occurred. I drew her in and gave her my strongest embrace. It almost blew her out of my arms and stunned her once more. But I resisted letting go. That’s exactly how I hugged her, fiercely as I could. As swiftly as it had begun, it stopped startling her, and we hurried to the hospital.
As it turned out, the device’s maker had to recall thousands of them because they were malfunctioning, and Shayla’s chest contained one of them.
More chemotherapy sessions, blood transfusions, a botched bone marrow transplant, and more uncomfortable sleepless nights ensued. But until the very last, Shayla never once considered giving up.
“How in the world was I meant to talk to my sweet kid about this? How would I ever have the courage to tell my daughter that she was going to die? There’s a quote I once heard that kind of captures my thoughts. “Can a guy who is terrified still be brave? He can only be bold at that moment. I had to have courage for HER! Of course, I did have that talk with her, and despite how unbelievable it may sound, it ended up being the most incredible, lovely, magical, and fantastic conversation I have ever had in my life. I sincerely pray you never, ever have to have it. Tom gave a portion.
“Dad, am I still brave?,” she murmured in his ear.
Then he met her gaze directly and saw into her soul. He was aware that she was beyond tired of battling and that it was becoming impossible for her, but he suddenly came to a chilling realization. She exhibited bravery for him rather than for herself.
Shayla tragically passed away a few days later, but her father will always remember her bravery and strength.
Shayla, rest in peace.
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Cocky Neighbor Fills My Pond, My Smart Comeback Shows Him Not to Underestimate an Older Woman
When Brian, my overconfident neighbor, filled in my cherished pond while I was away, he unwittingly triggered a clever response from me that proved age and solitude don’t mean you should be underestimated.
I’m Margaret, a 74-year-old who has spent over two decades in my beloved home, where I raised my children and now enjoy visits from my seven grandchildren. The pond, created by my late grandfather, has always been the heart of our family gatherings.
Brian moved in next door five years ago and immediately took issue with the pond. His complaints ranged from the frogs disturbing his sleep to the mosquitoes breeding in the water. Despite my attempts to brush off his grievances, his irritation only grew.
One day, while I was away visiting my sister, Brian decided to take matters into his own hands. When I returned, I was horrified to find that my pond had been filled in and replaced with dirt. I was heartbroken, realizing that years of memories and family joy had been wiped out in an instant.
My neighbor Mrs. Johnson tried to intervene when a team arrived to carry out the work, but they presented documents that seemingly authorized the destruction. Feeling betrayed, I knew who was behind this mess and decided to take action.
I gathered evidence of the pond’s destruction, including footage from a wildlife camera that clearly showed Brian directing the team. With this proof, I contacted the local wildlife conservation office, reporting that the pond was home to a protected species and had been destroyed unlawfully.
The conservation office took immediate action, and soon, Brian was facing a substantial fine for violating environmental laws. My grandson Ethan, a sharp lawyer, helped me file a lawsuit for property damage and emotional distress.
In the midst of this, I had a heart-to-heart with Brian’s wife, Karen, who was unaware of the full story. Once she understood, she felt remorseful and worked to rectify the situation. She supervised the restoration of the pond, and I decided to drop the lawsuit, thanks to Ethan’s diplomatic efforts.
Brian disappeared, humbled by the experience, while Karen and I grew closer. With the pond restored, my family and I could once again enjoy the joy it brought, and I had a new ally in the neighborhood.
Reflecting on it all, I realized that sometimes, unexpected events can lead to new friendships and fresh perspectives. And if there’s a lesson here, it’s that underestimating a determined grandmother can lead to surprising outcomes.
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