English 101
Information for reflection letter to my dad.
My father was killed by a drunk driver while working for the City of Miami as a construction worker. After that tragic accident, my mother who had just given birth to her fifth child, was never the same. After a few years of erratic behavior, she was diagnosed with schizophrenia/bipolar disorder. Mentally and financially, she was unable to care for five kids on her own. At the age of eighteen, I found myself carrying the load of my household, which consisted of a mentally sick mother and four younger siblings. It was incumbent upon me to step up into this role or my younger siblings would have ended up in the foster care system. We did not have a stable home. We found ourselves homeless with nowhere to go. Through it all, I continued going to school but could not focus on the classroom because I had ten thousand other issues that I needed to find a solution for. After a few years of trying to juggle school and family, I knew I had a decision to make. It was either my school or my family. I knew that I could at least have a second chance with school when I was ready. After weighing my options, I dropped out and focused on getting my life back on track. I worked three jobs to care for my mentally ill mother and four siblings. It was not easy to get where I am now, however, I can say it was by the grace of God that I pulled through it and I am in a much better place in my life. I was able to provide a stable living situation for me and my family. After many years of putting my life on hold, I made the decision to continue my education. I finally decided to quit my job of 15 years as a legal assistant to pursue my dreams of becoming a cardiovascular interventional radiographer (IVR). I cannot say that I miss my father because we didn’t have the best father/daughter relationship, however, I always wondered how my life would have been if he was still alive.
ANSWER
Dear dad,
When we were asked to write a letter in class to someone we considered a loved one, it did not take long for my mind to wander to you. It has been a while since we had a conversation and I know that you would find this letter puzzling. Now, I know our relationship was a complicated one, I am not sure we understood each other when you were here but, staring at this document, looking for words to say to you, I see it clearer now, I see what you saw when you looked at me and our family.
The first thing I would like to assure you is that we are fine. I do not know if you remember but I dreamt of becoming a cardiovascular interventional radiographer (IVR) for the longest time and fifteen years later, I can finally see that happening soon. You never said much but I am sure you would be proud. Dad, it has not been easy, after you left mom fell ill and has been so ever since. I have had some tough days when everything seemed to work against me and my world shifted upside down but I would like to promise you that I did not give up. I took care of our family as you would have.
I am not sure if what I feel could be called missing you, but I wish you had been there and I did not have to face the tough days alone. I hope you find peace in the fact that mom and your other kids will be fine. I would never let anything to happen to them. We are all going to be alright.
Your loving daughter.
