Snider 1

Aubrey Snider
Professor D. Watkins
English Composition 1 T/TR
25, September, 2016
Cancer Strengthens a Friendship

I still remember the first time I saw Preston Prock cry. I remember because I had cried the

same tears just three days before. You see, Preston looked okay on the outside - laughing and

conversing with friends but I knew better. Preston and I had something in common: We had

both just lost a beloved family member to cancer. I remember telling him Im so sorry, and he,

with tears in his eyes, responding Its ok. But I knew that it wasnt.

I first met Preston at a local 4-H meeting. He looked to be about ten years old, with a face full

of freckles and a goofy smile. Being a shy ten year old girl, I didnt really know what to do with

him. He wasnt rude like a lot of other boys his age, but he had a huge personality. He was

constantly cracking jokes and everyone always laughed, even if the jokes werent funny. He

seemed to draw people in, and eventually, I found myself enjoying his company.

As I grew older, I also grew to appreciate Preston more and more. With age comes more

responsibility, stress, and drama, and Preston was a welcome break from all of it. Our friendship

soon evolved into a brother-sister like relationship - complete with fights, laughter, and many

long conversations. Additionally, I soon learned that there was a depth to Preston that many

wouldnt expect. He gave excellent advice and was always there if I needed a helping hand. His

optimistic personality made him an extremely positive person which was what made him so

likeable.
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Because of Prestons jovial personality, many could not recognize the turmoil going on in his

personal life. When Preston was fourteen years old, his Dad was diagnosed with pancreatic

cancer. The news came as a shock to everyone who knew him. Monty was a lot like Preston

always smiling and ready to help another person out at a moments notice. Preston was an only

child, so the news hit him hard. I did my best to provide support and empathy, as my

grandmother was battling lung cancer at the same time.

Even during this difficult time, my and Prestons relationship did nothing but grow. Amidst

hospital visits and chemo treatments, Preston and I still had time to spend time together. The 4-H

youth program was something we both shared and enjoyed. Events within our local and county

4-H clubs consumed a lot of our time, which turned out to be a great distraction. That fall,

Preston won a county-wide award at our annual 4-H achievement banquet. I still remember

Prestons Mom wheeling Monty into the room in a wheelchair to watch Preston receive his

award. It was obvious that Monty was deteriorating fast, and I know Preston was overjoyed that

his Dad was able to see him receive his award.

Sadly, that was the last 4-H achievement banquet that Monty would be able to attend.

Prestons Dad died about five months later, just three days after my grandma died of lung cancer.

I can recall attending his Dads viewing service and not knowing what to say. Preston was my

best friend, yet I didnt know how to let him know how much I cared. I still remember the heart-

wrenching feeling of not knowing what to do, and how could I possibly help? I soon found that

just being there was enough sometimes, and that week Preston and I relied on each other for

support.

Yet, through the pain of recently losing his Dad, Preston remained strong. I knew the pain he

must have been feeling, but he always told me that he was just trying to be strong for his Mom.
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However, losing a father is usually a heavier burden than loss of a grandparent, so even though I

could empathize with the pain, I knew his grief must have been profound.

As the weeks passed, Preston regained much of his exuberant personality, but I could tell that

he would never be the same. Every now and then, someone would ask him how he was doing,

and he would always respond with: Im doing just fine, because I know Dad is free of cancer

now. He always took a positive approach, and it gave me strength in the weeks after my

grandma passed.

A little over a year has passed since my grandma passed away but I still miss her at times, just

like I am sure Preston misses his Dad. Last year at our 4-H county achievement banquet, Preston

won the highest Payne County 4-H award known as the Tarpey Hall of Fame. He dedicated his

success to his Dad. I know that his Dad would have been extremely proud of him. I know that I

am.

Preston has continued supporting me as well, especially in my recent campaign for a

statewide 4-H office. I knew I could trust him to help with poster set-up, speeches, and especially

moral support. Even though I didnt win the office, the election brought us closer and showed

me what an outstanding friend Preston really is. Next year, I will be leaving for college, and we

will both be taking separate paths. Sometimes, I wonder to myself how Preston and I became

such good friends. With vastly different interests and personalities, it is a mystery to me how we

are so close. Yet, maybe that is what bonds us together. Cancer may have taken away our loved

ones, but I know that it brought Preston and I closer, and I am thankful that I have a friend like

him. I know he will always be there for me, whatever I am going through.