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     When my grandfather, Papa Posey, fell ill with pneumonia, my family was in a constant state of taking action and doing whatever it took to help him heal. The first time he got sick, I was in middle school. We were all scared and my parents invested so much time and effort into finding the best medical facilities and treatment. My grandfather has been through a lot, having gone through several relapses of pneumonia, dementia, and other health issues that have been difficult to see him go through. My parents have always persisted and never gave up hope that he would push through.

      The past ten years have been hard for my family, through travels to emergency rooms and changing plans whenever necessary. There are times that I get frustrated and worry about my family, especially when I moved away from home for college. However, I truly believe that this has been one of the most influential and eye-opening experiences of my life. Witnessing my parents’ love and compassion for my grandfather was an even greater indicator of their love for us as their children. Growing up watching this, I have come to view my parents as my biggest role models, because of their ability to be strong and their resilience in always being there for their kids as well. We’re a big family and we’re also extremely close. Because of my parent’s sacrifice and persistency, I’ve gotten to spend more time to spend with him, even though the process has been difficult at times. 

      My grandfather has also gotten to see more grandchildren be brought into this world, as he’s continued to live to be 95 years old. It’s incredible how the things that bring the most sorrow, can also bring the most joy. This is something that I will always carry with me as an experience that defines me in a big way. Commitment is something I had always viewed as something physical and obligatory, but it’s much more valuable than that. Being there for someone during difficult times and being empathetic is one of the biggest ways you can impact a person’s life. 

      I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on my grandfather’s legacy and the people that he’s touched throughout his life. He still makes everyone laugh and will tell his nurses stories about his WWII days. I didn’t always understand what was happening or why it was happening, but as I’ve grown older I have gained new perspective. I would do anything for my parents, because I know they would do anything for me. I can easily say that we would do it all over again if we had to, because family is the most valuable thing we have. In life, both personal and professional, I will indeed make sacrifices for who or what I love. To me, it’s one of the wisest and most valuable components of being a good leader. Sacrifice is never easy, but it’s part of life’s process and it is the result of commitment that I choose to make because I will it.