- Published: September 13, 2022
- Updated: September 13, 2022
- University / College: University of Texas at Austin
- Language: English
- Downloads: 32
It was a bone chilling night when my mum received a call at around midnight which changed our lives forever. My cousin was on the other side of the line and she was crying so hard that even my mom could barely hear what she was talking about. Through the sobbing, my mom finally was able to hear that my dad had been involved in a terrible accident and she did not know how bad it was. This news caught my mom by surprise; she jumped out of the bed after hanging the phone and ran downstairs screaming. That day I had slept in her bedroom because she told me she feels lonely since my dad had been away for some time. Everyone in the house was woken up by her screams, as she was still screaming, the phone rang again and my sister picked it. The news was that my dad is dead and this was the day our lives took a turn around. Tears streamed down from my eyes like water streams down the creek. I felt like it was the end of life without my dad. I could not believe that I will never play games with him in the sitting room and go riding in his car over the weekend. It was so sad as the feeling was very unbearable. I experienced an cute nostalgia, a longing for a lost time that was so intense and I even felt like it was splitting me into two like a tree that has been hit by a lightning. I was flooded by memories of him a submersion that threatened to overwhelm me as I yearned for the sound of his voice calling my name when he comes home.
Everyone in the house was overtaken with fear and screams as my dad was the sole bread winner and it meant life was going to be very hard for me, my sister and my mom. After his burial, life was never the same again. We started walking to school as there was no money to pay for our school transport. Life became very hard for us and we could even lack basic needs, something I had never imagined in my life. I was the type that used to laugh at the children who walked to school as I used the school bus; it had never dawned to me that I could be in the same state one day. My dad used to give me everything I asked for and I was the arrogant type that used to bully other kids in school. I never knew that in life one can lack even the basic needs like food and I could eat at times while throwing the snacks I carry at school instead of giving to those who did not have.
My dad’s death was an event that changed my approach to life. I never took education serious as I knew my dad was there and could do anything for me. I started making good friends in school, friends who respect everyone despite their background. My life had to change from a spoilt kid to someone who respected everyone and took school very important. My dad’s death changed my life forever. I focused on my education because I wanted to graduate from high school with good grades so that I get a good college, good job and be able to support my mother because after my dad’s death, she felt very ill and could not even work to support us.
Losing my dad was the worst thing that ever happened in my life but also it taught me a lot about life. He was just not only my dad but my best friend but I had to learn to live without him and the good things he used to give me. We became so close with my sister and took care of each other and at one time, my sister could tell me that I was the glue that held us together. My dad was very successful and I have always worked very hard just to be like him in the future.
I still think of my dad every day but on most days the grief is less oppressive and lighter because I am working very hard in my academics so as to excel just like him. Years have gone by and I always think if my dad was still around and pampering me the way he used to, I could not be the person I am today. This does not mean that I don’t miss him or I am happy because he died but I learnt a lot after his death most of all being respectful of everyone despite their family background and working hard in school. I never had respect for the other kids in school and I never took my school work seriously because my day pampered me a lot and he never even cared about the mistakes I made. I have learnt to live with all the people in the society and interact well with my friends at school. Losing a patent especially the sole bread winner is very painful and one always thinks that is the end of live but life has to go on. I have learnt to live without my day and work very hard and be successful just like him. His death made a significant turn around in my life as it has influenced all the decisions I make in my life. His death was not a pleasant thing but through it, I have learnt to work hard and be a great person in future.