My Diva

This post is for my Creative Writing class as a response paper to the readings of My Divas. I am supposed to write about a hero in my life based upon those readings. I had a bit of trouble trying to relate the meaning behind my hero and the "divas" written about within the many stories. You know its kind of funny, I've had so many heroes in my life, and they fluctuate as I change and adapt to the circumstances of my life. A hero that will always stay in my heart though is my dad. I know it sounds cliche like I am 5 years old again, but in all honesty, there hasn't been anyone else in my life that's influenced almost every decision I've made in my life, except for him. I remember when I was in 7th grade, I almost committed suicide. My mother didn't believe I would do it, but the things I thought and said only made me want to do it more, but then my dad interjected. He told me I had so much to live for, that my life has meaning to it. I remember in particular my dad telling me that no one can tell me what to do. He will always be that influence in my life as I try to succeed in order to benefit my family. My dad has taught me that family means everything. He has taught me more than just that, he has showed me how to spiritually be in tune with myself. I've been using the pronoun he a lot in this segment, but I don't know how else to classify him. I guess I could start each sentence with, "my hero," but what would that do? This man, my dad, means more than just the pronoun he. My permanent and personal hero will always be my dad because he listens to me, he takes my advice as I take his. My dad knows more about the world than the average man, but he doesn't have anyone that will listen to him except for me. I take everything that he says and I implement it into my life in a whole new manner. I try to make him happy by accomplishing goals that fit expectations which aren't his, but rather my own. My success is all he cares about and he trusts me with his own success even if it doesn't involve experiences he can relive through me. I live by my own accord and my dad did the same, so he relives his past through my present even though it doesn't mimic it directly. There's not much more I can say about this man, I write and write and write and all I can think about is how dearly I love him.
I realize how privileged I am to have such a supportive dad. A lot of my friends in high school didn't even have dads, some had dads, but they had divorced my friends mothers leaving them with a father they occasionally saw on the weekends. One of my friends dads had schizophrenia, he left my friend's family and in his place my friend took a fatherly role to raise his two siblings with thought out ethics and logical rationalization. I know his two siblings and I can say with confidence that they very kind and know what is right and what is wrong based upon my friends experiences fulfilling a male role within his family. My friend will turn out to be a great dad and so will I, only under different circumstances.
My dad has not only taught me how to be a good person, but he has showed me how to be a husband and a father. He is that role model in my life that will go to the grave with me. All his stories and all the growing up I did with him holding me in his arms, holding my hand, showing me the way, and then leaving me behind with all his collectables and success. I am honored to have been raised by him and it will continue to be a pleasure to be raised by him.

Have a Good One