The Burning Candle

One of the most treasured moments in a young child's life is her own birthday-a time when family and friends come together to celebrate another year of prosperity and life. However, when tragedy occurs, all those beautiful moments vanish like the burning candles on a cake blown out by an eager child. On my tenth birthday, when I made my wish, I did not know my father was going to have his second heart attack the very next day. When I heard that my father had collapsed at work and was taken to the emergency room I could not care less about the insignificant wish I made. At that very moment all I wanted was my father to come home healthy. As a child it was very difficult for me to understand what was happening. I heard the words coronary artery disease, open heart surgery, eight bypass, slim chance of survival echo through the cold hallways of the hospital. Doctors said there was nothing they could do and left him on what they thought would be his deathbed. But when all hope seemed to be lost, a savior brought light into my darkness when he was willing to operate on my father. Once my father was allowed to come home, I saw a broken man. My father, who means the world to me, had become fragile and for the first time in my life, I saw him cry. For several days, he could not walk up the stairs and had to sleep in an upright position. Despite that, when he did take his "first" steps up the stairs, I held his hand and counted each step. Later on my father divulged that if it were not for my little hand in his, he would have given up immediately. Instantly I knew what I wanted to do with my life. If I could motivate someone to take another step just by holding their hand, than I was capable of helping others in many other ways. I thought to myself that, "even the doctor who saved my father's life was inspired by something." This incident sparked a flame within me to push myself to become a doctor who would stand against a majority that says, "There is no way." The smile that arose upon my father's face, once he reached the top of the stairs, is one I will remember and take with me as I help others. Whether it is by performing a surgery, diagnosing a problem, or just holding their hand, my birthday wish shall always be to not let any burning candle die out.