My dad, my hero
Not every girl gets to share their birthday with their hero—but I do. That hero is my father. Every year when I ask him what he wants for his birthday, he says he got the best gift 5,10, or 20 or whatever years I’m turning. Can’t argue there.
Like many, I wanted to be just like my dad. Turns out I truly am my dad’s daughter. From him I gain my love of history, random trivia, seashell collecting, and love for The Beatles. He showed me how to fight for what I want and to look for both sides of the story before I draw judgment.
My father has taught me a lot over the years—he’s still teaching me—but the lesson that has had greatest impact was that you make sacrifices for those things that are important. The thing that was of most importance to him was his family.
My dad is one of the hardest workers I know. As the sole provider for seven kids and a stay-at-home-wife, I now know the paycheck never stretched far enough. To this day it still boggles my mind how they were able to do it. I never fully understood the burden I was placing when I asked for dance lessons or upgrading the school pictures to the most expensive package, but somehow I never felt that way. My parents created a home full of laughter, traditions, memories and a whole lot of love built on those things that mattered.
My siblings and I could always count on my father being in the audience of whatever we doing, whether that was a soccer game, dance recital, or choir concert. For us, presence was a solid force that calmed our and encouraged us to do our best.
Being there was how he showed his love for us. Being there was also a sacrifice.
For my father to be at an afternoon soccer game, meant he’d set off to work before the sun had fully risen.
For my father to be at a choir concert, meant a late night working on those additional research projects to bring in just a little more income.
For my father to be at a school awards ceremony, meant a two hour daily commute so we could live in a better neighborhood that would give us the opportunity to excel educationally.
Day in, day out, my father has been there when we needed him most. He was the person I called when I ran out of gas or when I needed help with a paper. To this day, he still makes it to every one of my youngest brother’s event.
Now as I make the sacrifice for my family, I know I have becomes just like my hero.