A Lesson Learned

I loved my father as any child would and truly only longed for his attention. I didn’t care about his wrongdoing and just wanted a dad. I remember an incident that occurred at a young age that made me feel like I was alone and had to be my own strength. I lived with my Paternal grandmother in Altadena, Ca. and had to be 11 or 12 at the time. It was Christmas day and my grandmother had got me a new ten-speed bicycle “the scorcher”, brand new and still in the box. My grandmother of course was not capable of achieving such a task as putting the bike together for me, so I called upon my dad who at this time he lived maybe five miles away from my grandmother. He promised me he would be there to help me put my bike together. As time passed by that morning and I could hear all of the other kids already playing outside and riding their new bikes while I sat on my grandmother's patio alone, waiting on my dad. My grandmother tried to reassure me that he would come but by noon he still had not shown. I remember crying and being angry at the fact that one he was not there and two he did not help me with my bike. I said I would do it myself and would never ask him for anything again. I proceeded to put my bike together myself but quite naturally I was not strong enough to tighten all of the nuts & bolts on the bike as they should be. I rode my bike and played with the other kids that day. With loose handlebar I rode, a loose seat but “I RODE”!!!!!! By not showing up that day, my father unknowingly taught me one of my greatest lessons that I will never forget. Will power, resilience, determination and drive CAN take you great places and help you accomplish great things. Unfortunately, as well, because of the incident "till this day" it's hard for me to ask anyone for help or support.

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