Family

            When the word family is said, my mom and dad come to mind. Having no brothers or sisters has made me an only child all my life. With that being said, my mom is and has always been my best friend, sister, and mom all in one. My dad on the other hand has never been as open with me and is more of a reserved person. However, since the three of us is all we have we stick together, help each other, and are always there for one another.

            Family to other people might mean aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. To me however, family is the people I have lived with since I was born, the people that raised me and loved me. Family isn’t just about the people that share the same blood as you. It goes much further than that. Family is about giving love and receiving it. One word I remember hearing as a child in a Disney movie was “Ojana”. Ojana means, “Nobody gets left behind or forgotten”. When I first heard that I felt like that saying just summed up the word in a simple way for me.

            Having my dad being sick often unites my family more. When he’s in the hospital I help my mom out at home while she is at work, knowing she will be tired by the time she’s out. She, in an attempt to get along better with me, doesn’t nag at me as much. She is more understanding while I am too more helpful and give her less trouble.

Through everything we have experienced and the struggles we are still faced with, we manage to make it through. Growing up has made me realize and taught me that there are certain responsibilities I just have to take up on. One of them, being, able to help out with the housework and helping with the bills. Family to me is everything; almost loosing my dad not once but twice has been more than enough to know I wont always have them around. Therefore while I have them here with me I must cherish and appreciate them, love them and show them how much they mean to me. Not many appreciate what they have until it is gone, and take them for granted. I have taken my family for granted at times, it’s sad to say but I have. Now however, I put them and will continue putting them first. My mom and dad the people that raised me and made me the person I am today are the people I owe everything to.