REFLECTION #2

There is one specific story that has personally impacted my life, the story of my father’s childhood. My father had a tough childhood. He grew up in a family with eight brothers and sisters and in a poor economic situation. He was the second eldest and so he had to assume the responsibility of becoming a provider at a very young age in life. At the age of fifteen my dad was forced to drop out of high school and get a job. He was really disappointed because he loved school and always managed to get good grades. My father definitely had a bright future set out for himself.  But with the reality of their situation he soon found a low paying job working on the fields cutting and planting watermelons. He was out in the hot heat all day and would get home exhausted with an aching back. It was truly gruesome work. But the reason why this story inspired me so much is that even though my dad had to sacrifice his goals in life for his family he never gave up. Once his brothers and sisters were old enough to provide for themselves he moved to California with my mom where he got a good paying job and went back to school to finish what he had started. He was able to provide a life filled with many opportunities for my brother and me, a life that he never had. Because of this I remind myself every day that I must never give up and can accomplish anything I set my mind on. I am proud to call such an inspiring man my father.