This is a rough, rough draft but looking for some feedback. Thank you.
Andrew McMahon: Average guy, rock star, cancer survivor. Most people know Andrew McMahon as the lead singer and pianist of Jack's Mannequin, my favorite band of all time. Most people do not know he was diagnosed with Leukemia in the year 2005. Before he found out he had cancer, he named his band after Jack, his neighbor's brother who had Leukemia, ironically. McMahon began the Dear Jack Foundation to help support research for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. His battle with cancer has not affected me physically, but it has affected me mentally. He has inspired me so much, not only knowing he was strong enough to win his battle against cancer, but also through his lyrics that give me a little faith every day.
Ever since I heard the first song by Jack's Mannequin, I have been in love with his music. I never knew, though, that he did not always fit in the crowd. I did not realize that people typically would not want to listen to piano based music, which is his specialty. People assume his music is like the classic piano music from the 1800's; but it is not, it is the uniquely perfect blend of piano and alternative rock music. I think it is remarkable that he did not let that stop him from playing the kind of music he loved. If he can go out and present his own music to the world, and risk everyone disliking it, then what am I afraid of? For years, I had worried and taken into account of what people thought about me and what I did. I snapped out of that phase quickly. I deeply admire how he just loves what he does and does not let anyone stop him from doing it. I am my own person, and I should not be ashamed to let people see that. I could care less if any one judges me. I love the way I am, and that is all that matters.
Obviously, being diagnosed with cancer is not something anybody wants to hear. Knowing there was nothing he could do to take it back, he just accepted it and went on with life. Instead of just sulking and being depressed about having cancer, he was always happy and joking around. I am so shocked that he did not let this get to him, but I understand that he still wanted to live his life, no matter what. He still wrote songs while in treatment, but he had to prioritize the more important things, such as his health. He is just an average person, and so am I. It is possible that something of that nature could happen to me, I never know. I appreciate everything I have: my family, health, and home. His battle with cancer has taught me to not expect everything to last forever. I cherish every second I have on this earth and the interactions I have with others, both good and bad.
Only a select few people can actually say they are, miraculously, cancer survivors. I figure if he can be so strong as to overcome his encounter with cancer, then I can do anything I set my mind to. This is my life, and I cannot let anything else control it except for me.
After seeing Andrew McMahon and all that he has gone through, there is nothing I can expect to happen. Just as in his most inspirational song, The Resolution, "There's a lot that I don't know; there's a lot that I'm still learning." McMahon took his last dose of medication in fall of 2006. Just like him, I have to simply take my life day by day, with a smile and a bit of hope and see what happens. I have to take each day as it comes and know that each is a blessing.
Andrew McMahon: Average guy, rock star, cancer survivor. Most people know Andrew McMahon as the lead singer and pianist of Jack's Mannequin, my favorite band of all time. Most people do not know he was diagnosed with Leukemia in the year 2005. Before he found out he had cancer, he named his band after Jack, his neighbor's brother who had Leukemia, ironically. McMahon began the Dear Jack Foundation to help support research for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. His battle with cancer has not affected me physically, but it has affected me mentally. He has inspired me so much, not only knowing he was strong enough to win his battle against cancer, but also through his lyrics that give me a little faith every day.
Ever since I heard the first song by Jack's Mannequin, I have been in love with his music. I never knew, though, that he did not always fit in the crowd. I did not realize that people typically would not want to listen to piano based music, which is his specialty. People assume his music is like the classic piano music from the 1800's; but it is not, it is the uniquely perfect blend of piano and alternative rock music. I think it is remarkable that he did not let that stop him from playing the kind of music he loved. If he can go out and present his own music to the world, and risk everyone disliking it, then what am I afraid of? For years, I had worried and taken into account of what people thought about me and what I did. I snapped out of that phase quickly. I deeply admire how he just loves what he does and does not let anyone stop him from doing it. I am my own person, and I should not be ashamed to let people see that. I could care less if any one judges me. I love the way I am, and that is all that matters.
Obviously, being diagnosed with cancer is not something anybody wants to hear. Knowing there was nothing he could do to take it back, he just accepted it and went on with life. Instead of just sulking and being depressed about having cancer, he was always happy and joking around. I am so shocked that he did not let this get to him, but I understand that he still wanted to live his life, no matter what. He still wrote songs while in treatment, but he had to prioritize the more important things, such as his health. He is just an average person, and so am I. It is possible that something of that nature could happen to me, I never know. I appreciate everything I have: my family, health, and home. His battle with cancer has taught me to not expect everything to last forever. I cherish every second I have on this earth and the interactions I have with others, both good and bad.
Only a select few people can actually say they are, miraculously, cancer survivors. I figure if he can be so strong as to overcome his encounter with cancer, then I can do anything I set my mind to. This is my life, and I cannot let anything else control it except for me.
After seeing Andrew McMahon and all that he has gone through, there is nothing I can expect to happen. Just as in his most inspirational song, The Resolution, "There's a lot that I don't know; there's a lot that I'm still learning." McMahon took his last dose of medication in fall of 2006. Just like him, I have to simply take my life day by day, with a smile and a bit of hope and see what happens. I have to take each day as it comes and know that each is a blessing.