Compare and Contrast

Picture a boomerang. Now picture a human leg. Now picture a human leg, in the shape of a boomerang. That leg 3 years ago belonged to my father. He had torn ligaments so many times in his knee that it couldn’t hold its own weight anymore and thus, started collapsing. Numerous doctors, physical therapists, friends, and family members advised him to get the surgery to finally repair the crushed knee. After some deliberation knee surgery number 14 was set up, and carried out. My dad would come out of that whole experience a different person, emotionally, and physically.
All these problems spawned from a very long time ago, in which my dad played college and semi-professional football. As many players do, he took numerous shots to the knees, and required many surgeries. He knew the risks of playing, and he knew how playing football for just four years can lead to bad things forty years down the road, but he persevered. He finished his football career and settled down, and eventually I was born. Upon me being born, my dad had no time to work out, and he spent much of his time eating meals on the go, and thus, he became less healthy. Due to some simple laws of gravity this caused the weakened knee to collapse upon itself. He would go through a lot of physical pain throughout the years until the surgery.
My dad is a much happier person now then he was back in the younger years of my life. I remember when he would have random fits of rage when things would go wrong with his knee. Whenever he hit it on something the pain would be amplified so great for him, he would have difficulty standing afterwards. Near the time right before the surgery there were many problems with the knee itself. My dad would fall at least 5 times a day just due to the sheer lack of support from his right leg. It became very difficult for him to sit in one place for an extended period of time, and also to get in and out of his truck, let alone try to drive it. Finally all the problems because unbearable and he got the surgery. The leg hasn’t bothered him since. It’s so nice to see my dad finally able to function like he should again. His leg is now as strong as ever. I can actually hit it and he only feels minor pain, because the whole thing is made out of a giant chunk of steel now. He no longer falls, and can actually drive a vehicle without pain. He can also relax in his recliner and read or watch television for more than 30 minutes. He works out a lot more now than he used to and he is making sure to stay in shape so the other knee doesn’t collapse now. Not only is he in good physical condition, but his emotional outlook on life is much different.
Before the surgery he was always very grumpy and he had a tendency to be stubborn. He didn’t like taking advice regarding his knee from the doctors and other physical therapists he worked with. He consistently disregarded the advice and this made the situation worse. His grumpiness and stubbornness would ball itself up inside and he would lash out at various times for no good reason. Upon receiving the surgery he changed his ways. When he realized his family had to help him 100 percent of the time with all his daily activities, he took a much more patient and open view on life. He is no longer consistently stubborn, and the small fits of rage are gone. He’s learned to not take so many things for granted now that he knows what it’s like to experience a life changing situation such as this one. He is literally and figuratively speaking, a changed man.