There comes a time in a teenager’s life when we stop taking things for granted and we learn how to appreciate the value of the people in our lives. As a child, I always liked my mom more than I liked my dad. Whenever she would say that my dad was coming, I would always try to get things in order and change my clothes to look more presentable. Whenever someone would ask about my dad, I would either ignore him or her, or change the subject. My feelings toward my dad all changed on one special day, on the day of my 14th birthday I was in a candy store oddly excited, like a kid
My dad had come to pick me up after school, which was odd because usually I would take the bus home. On our way home, we stopped at a few stores to get some things. The person at the cash register was rather nice; she said, “You and your dad look like you have a good relationship”. I smiled and said thank you. When we had finished, we headed to the car and drove home. Rather disappointed I took off my clothes and went to bed. Fifteen minutes later, I heard a knock on my door. My dad came in and told me to get dressed.
When I was ready, we got in the car and started driving to wherever he was taking me. At first, I thought he was taking me to a restaurant but we were on the route to my aunt’s house. I suddenly felt hot and sweaty and I could sense that something was about to happen.
We entered my aunt’s house and found it unusually dark and quiet. I could hear a pin drop and an echo. As I was searching for the light switch, my dad told me to go to the backyard and turn on that one. I made my way to the backdoor, stumbling over a few things on my way. After about a minute of searching in the dark, I found the door. I then heard whispers of”shhhh” and people mumbling. My heart skipped a beat because I did not know anyone was in the house. Like a scared child, I retreated slowly. I finally gathered enough courage to open the door. As I placed my hands on the knob, I was shaking and my head felt light. I opened the door slowly.
The smell of food and cake came rushing to my nose and not even seconds after opening the door the lights flickered on and everyone jumped out of their hiding places and yelled SURPRISE!. The backyard decorated lightly, and the table with the cake was in the middle. Among the other tables, my table was covered with different colors and elements of design. As I looked around, I could not help but cry. I felt a warm tingling feeling rising from my feet going my entire body. Everyone who I knew was there. My aunt and her husband, my three cousins, my other aunts, my neighbors, friends from my church and my dad. Sadly, my mom was not able to make it.
I had a wonderful time dancing and listening to people making toasts to me and opening gifts, but the part I enjoyed the most was when my dad made a heartfelt speech and cried. I cried too, knowing that my dad loves me so much and cares about me changed everything. It changed who I am. He made me want to be a better person for me, my family, and for him.
When I look back at myself, I see a shy little girl who as always afraid and who never liked to talk about her father. I see someone who would get a feeling of anxiety every time her father was around her, someone who did not appreciate her father.
Now I look at myself and see a young woman who appreciates life and all it has to offer, whom learn from her mistakes and to value the people in her life. I now realize what my father means to me, he is the one person who I can tell my problems to and he does not judge me. He is the person I can trust to believe in me.
I no longer take him for granted and I am proud to say that he is my father. He gives me strength to make me go on each day. I will remember the good times and the bad times that we have been through and keep them as a memory I will never forget.
Many children in the world do not have a father to love and care for them, but I do. Never take a person for granted or treat them as if you do not love them because you might never know when they will be gone. Treasure the memories that you have with that person and no matter what conflicts you have had, always remember that whatever they did, they did it out of love.
