The Importance Of My Dad In My Life

Without my dad in our lives, every aspect changed. My mom was a stay-at-home parent. She now had three kids to raise alone, with no college degree. Feelings of injustice, discontent, depression, and anger filled my home. My family became broken and I became apprehensive about my life. Even as a fourth grader, I was so aware of the extreme cost of college that I started a piggy bank with the purpose of saving for college. There were no leftover savings, as we had declared bankruptcy in 2005. My mom applied for a job as a cashier for Aramark, but we now lived in poverty.
In each sibling, our identities were affected. My sister was already the social butterfly as well as the beauty of the family. She was gifted with my dad’s artistic talent and …show more content…
As a twelve-year old, I began serving in my community by helping my neighbors with gardening, visiting nursing homes, and volunteering at the library. Helping others offered me a new perspective, which in the midst of grief, brought me joy and healing. In eighth grade, I began attending Lebanon Christian Church where I found friends and essential mentors. My life changed further when I joined Creating Positive Relationships (an organization that sends teachers to the health classes in schools where they talk about making healthy decisions and developing relationships with the opposite sex, as well as with parents and friends), and met my mentor, Molly Garner. Molly believed in me when I felt like no one else did, and that made an incredible impact in my life. Beyond that, I spent the majority of my time with my other grandma who has been a tremendous, positive influence. I hold onto the wise words of my grandma in the same way that Marjane held onto the words of her grandmother. When I share a challenging life circumstance with my grandma, she tells me, “Don’t worry, because it will all work itself out.” My grandma has overcome significant challenges in her life as well, which is why I can look to her for …show more content…
I contracted with the Army to become a 2nd lieutenant and a Medical Corps officer upon graduation. I will serve as a Physician Assistant and am excited for the day that I am sent on missions and can help heal wounded fellow comrades who choose to risk their lives by protecting our country. My dad is in my thoughts every day and often times I wonder how my identity would be influenced if he was still here. I am certain that my entire life would be different and I would not be who I am