AMERICAN DREAM

It would be an understatement to say that my father is the prime example of the American dream. He is more than another success story that everyone hopes to achieve when they emigrate to the United States. He is more than the title that he upholds within my family as he lives each day. He is the reason why I have never forgotten where I came from. He is the reason why I appreciate my life for how it is today. He is everything I have ever dreamed of becoming, and the person who taught me that everything I ever needed was already within myself.

My father was born and raised in a time and place where appreciation was expressed even for the most basic necessities of life, such as a home to live in and food to eat. His upbringing is the reason why he expresses understanding and gratitude for those that face situations alike to his past. It is the reason why he finds appreciation for all that he has achieved, because it was all that he ever dreamed of as a child. It is the reason why he was inspired to become the person he always needed when he was younger and continues to be the person that I wish to become one day.

When I look at my reflection in the mirror, I see my father. I see his dark, curly locks that hide beneath the motorcycle helmet he puts on before he rides the Harley. I see his fresh, Earth soil eyes that envisioned a future for not only himself, but for my family in a country full of opportunity. I see his face of bravery, which helped him continue to fight battles that only proved how resilient he truly is. When I look at my reflection in the mirror, I see the man that never stopped believing in himself: even in times where it felt that all else had failed.

Not only do I see my father in myself, but I hold pieces of my father in my heart. I will never forget the day that my father told me that I have a beautiful mind, and that is something no one could ever take away from me. I thank my father for being the reason that my mind is how it is today, because the roots of my vulnerability have revealed the most authentic version of myself. I thank him for every lesson he has ever taught me because they continue to reside in my heart and translate into actions of love and kindness for others. I thank him for helping me view this world through a different lens, so that I appreciate every little thing that this world could offer and admire the life that I have been given.

In times where I was afraid of showing vulnerability and was asked to step out of my comfort zone, he placed all his faith in me. He helped me acknowledge the importance of choosing temporary pain for the endurance of growth and healing. When the day came where the weight of the world felt lighter than what it once was, he helped me find trust in my wings to break free from the cage I was inside and bring myself back into the blue skies again.

To my father, who has loved and cared with everything he ever had within myself. To my father, who helped me find acceptance in the pieces of myself that I once resented but grew to love and embrace in a world that says otherwise. To my father, the first man I have ever loved: and will always remember when I wake up and choose to continue living life to its fullest each day.