Jule's Essay for Boarding School

Jule's Essay for Boarding school
(Jules is my nephew.  I'm humbled)

Describe a person you admire or who has influenced you a great deal:

Many people have influenced me but one of the most important is my mom’s brother, Todd.  He has taught me the values of positivity, hard work and consistency. Todd has become a second father to me.  
Todd taught me the value of positivity. In 2016, he was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer.  He did 6 months of the most aggressive chemotherapy, which had no impact, and then did an experimental drug trial.   Miraculously, after 4 months of this trial, he had no cancer. I attribute his success against cancer to his positive attitude.  Todd is always grateful, always smiling. I remember visiting him in the hospital over Christmas and he was cracking jokes and making ME feel good.  Todd taught me that half the battle is my frame of mind and with the right attitude I can accomplish anything.

Todd taught me the value of hard work.  His day job is a commercial real estate broker but he also produces regional theater musicals, he’s president of his state fraternity chapter and he’s a deacon of his church.  What Todd is really known for is his mentorship. When he was sick, men who he had mentored over the years came from all over the country to support him. Even now, in the middle of his cancer fight, he’s actively mentoring.   Watching him work so hard and have such a big impact, reminds me that I am capable more.  When I am losing confidence on the football field, Todd is in my ear telling me to push myself and work harder. When my grades are slipping in school, he is there, reminding me to study harder, and that my education is the most important part of being a student athlete.  And when I'm going down the wrong path Todd sets me straight and make sure I stay focused.

Todd has taught me the value of consistency. He texts me every day, since I started middle school, to let me know he’s rooting for me.  He did this even during his intense chemo. These check ins make me feel cared for. He shows up every single day, good or bad and that’s taught me that the important things require the discipline of daily affirmation.  Because of his constant presence, Todd has been a part of every big decision I’ve made.
In conclusion, Todd is a second father to me, teaching me the values of positivity, hard work, and consistency.  I can always count on him to keep me focused and on track. Todd has been a big part of my life since I was little, and I know he will play a big part in my decisions in the future.