Why I Learned Nothing From The Man I Once Considered Dad

My parents had packed everything. EVERYTHING. There was bareness on the walls and there was around us except piles and piles of boxes. I looked around the house one last time as cold salty tears streaked down my face. I was covered in tears from the waist up. The feeling of leaving everyone made me empty inside. I felt hollow. Finally my dad said, “Let’s go!” I pleaded with him to let us stay, but I got the same usual answer, “You’ll be fine.” I wasn’t.

“Dwight, Grandpa has passed away,” those words would haunt me for the rest of my life but those few words would change my life forever. I couldn’t believe those few words that I was hearing from my mother. My denial was just too great especially my grandfather was the one who dropped me off early that day and he looked as healthy as ever. I couldn’t think straight after I got off the phone except of the idea that I wanted to lock myself out from the rest of the world and breakdown in my own world. Eventually it was like I slap back to reality when my mind came across these two questions, “who’s gonna be the man of the house and who’s gonna help my family get through this difficult time?”

Since then, my relationship with my father has improved and his presence in my life brought about positive changes. Looking back now, I can see what aspects of my life has improved since then. When I entered high school, I began taking psychology courses where I learned about the psychology of topics like love, relationships, birth order, etc. One of the things I

I walked into the room on New Year’s Day and felt a sudden twinge of fear. My eyes already hurt from the tears I had shed and those tears would not stop even then the last viewing before we had to leave. She lay quietly on the bed with her face as void of emotion as a sheet of paper without the writing. Slowly, I approached the cold lifeless form that was once my mother and gave her a goodbye kiss.

A few hours later though when my parents did finally emerged from their bedroom they gingerly sat me down at the kitchen table informing me that they would be “taking a break” for a while as my mama had put it. But, all I knew was that, after that, my Step Daddy Cade had left home and he didn’t return for four months. At the time I had honestly thought he was never going to come home again. That’s how things usually worked out around here in

My mother didn’t want me to go anywhere; she wanted me to be safe at home with her. We’d lived through the months of anticipation and planning together, and she’d shared my anguish at the end. I’d watched dry eyed as she folded small garments in tissue paper to take to the charity shop, her hands shaking, and listened to her weeping in the kitchen when she thought I wouldn’t

When my mother walked away from me for the last time, I could feel the disappointment in every step, right up until she turned the corner and disappeared from my sight. And I just stood there, watching her go, thinking about what she had told me: “I don’t know how you’re going to live your life alone, Charlotte.”

All the events that happened in my life taught me a lot of lessons. Although my father's absence in my life affected me a lot, it helped me in the long run. I saw how hard my father was working for me, my education, and for my future. I know that this whole process was hard for him too. This is why I want to go to college, to show my dad that everything he is working for is getting put to

It had been two month since I decided to live with my dad after his divorce. Actually, I’d never want them to break apart. I loved both much. But, I didn’t know what on their mind. Parents sometimes were complicated just like childish. I inhaled deep breathe for many times and I really didn’t know for how many, and once again I saw my dad kept an eye one me. But I didn’t care, not really care. I hated this situation so much. I missed my mom.

This experience did not only bring me closer to my dad, but also taught me not to be selfish. And, instead attempting to escape the bitter reality, I learned to focus my energy on how I can make the situation better. Because I believe life will always provide obstacles that need to be overcome. It is up to us and our attitude towards the situations which will make us stronger and wiser. Furthermore, I learned to look at the positive side in situations because it is in our attitude that determines how we react to certain situations and problems in life. This virtue I can apply to my dreams and aspirations in being an engineer, to look at the positive things when it comes to creating solutions a

My siblings and I had been promised a trip to visit family and friends; not quiet this soon. The hour after hour of awkward tension and flared outburst, the kind always found in road trips, only filled the feeling of despair and fear. Through the night, we passed through three states and arrived briefly at my Aunt's house, already in chaos. Relatives began to flock around, creating chaos inside the little condo. Quickly I snapped into action helping prepare food and making small talk with members of family. The smells of lasagna in the oven filled the house when the call came; we could see him. The drive was a blur as we sped down the highway, each second more precious than the last. The hospital came into view as we tried to find a spot to park among the hundreds of lives being changed forever. A clunky elevator ride and unwelcoming receptionists led the way to a room at the end of the

I opened the brown, dull door and found a giant smile, stretched ear to ear with my grandma’s face sitting behind it. My grandparents rushed into our house and my grandpa gave me a hug so tight that I could barely breathe. After they got settled in, my parents tragically walked out the door with their tightly-packed suitcases. My brother and I gave them each a huge hug before they speeded away for a serene vacation. My grandparents sat on the old grey sofa and bombarded my brother and I with questions about our current life. It was time for dinner and instead of the gourmet meals my parents usually prepare, Evan and I gorged on toaster-oven chicken fingers and microwave mac-and-cheese, the only meal my grandmother could perfect. I got ready to go to sleep and sat on my bed, deep in thought. I pondered on what my parents were doing, what they were eating for dinner, and what fancy hotel they would be staying at. I was happy that they finally caught a break from their stressful lives, but I also could not wait for them to return. Days passed by, and each day followed the same routine; Evan and I went to school, came home, did homework, ate dinner, and went to bed. On Wednesday afternoon, I came home and my brother was watching a basketball game, clenching the remote in his left hand. I complained that he was watching too much television and he fought back with explaining that he was older and had

My dad taught me a lot of things about life, whether he'd meant to or not. He taught me that, everyone is human, and that I shouldn't be quick to judge someone.

Losing grandma was and up until now the worst feeling I’ve ever felt…On this date, August 18, 2007 at 8:00 pm I received a telephone call. The phone call that I had received was obviously not a good one. That person who’s my grandfather told me, “Grandma’s dead.” I then replied to him and told him “no, this can’t be true.” After that his voice started fading Losing grandma was and up as he then started to cry over the phone and said, “at this point I don’t know what I’m going to do without her.” I began shedding tears because who knew that this day would’ve ever come. Although she’s gone, she’ll never be forgotten.

Through out my life I have been taught lessons, something learned through experience, by my parents and just living (Merriam-Webster). My parents teach me lessons from their past experiences, their mistakes they do not want me to go through. My dad teaches me lessons in how to respect people. He teaches me how to treat people, and if you treat people respect then you get what you give. My dad has always treated people the way he wants to be treated. For example, he always greats people with a warm, welcoming smile, and a firm handshake. Even if he does not recognize someone that stops to talk to him, he still smiles and acts as if he has known them their whole life. This teaches me that respect is the most important thing to give to people. My mom does the same but she more teaches me, no matter what happens to always love your kids unconditionally. This prepares me for the future, for when I have graduated college and have a career and married. My mom has been through a lot with my sister and me since the divorce. She tells me how she fought for custody of me and my sister. The odds were not in her favor. Also, how she wishes she was more apart of our childhood. Divorces separates families, and more than likely one parent will lose precious time with their children. I know I wish my