Never Too Late

Growing up, I can admit I had a great life. I never had to go without anything. I was the only child for 11 years, but I always wanted siblings because I was alone in the house and wanted someone to play with. So once my parents finally had my little brother, I wouldn’t say life was as great, but it did get better now that I had a brother I could play with despite the age disparity. A few years later, I got two more siblings from my dad’s side, another brother and now a sister; they’re twins.

I am very family-oriented and I love spending time with them all when I have the chance. Even though my family may be dysfunctional at times, love’s always involved. 

My parents played a significant role in shaping who I am today. Growing up, I always hoped to have a full family with my mom, dad, and little brother, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. While my family isn’t as put together as most are, I’ve learned that hope isn’t about everything being ideal, it’s about believing things can get better. 

Daddy’s Little Girl

When I was a little girl, my parents adored me so much. Although I was with my mom the majority of the time growing up, I always wanted to be with my dad whenever he came home. I love my dad so much, and there isn’t anything he can ever do to make me not love him. 

When he was home I would hide his shoes so that he couldn’t leave the house and could stay with me longer. It was constant fun and games with him. For many years, people would tell me I looked like him. Now that I’m older, people tell me that I look like my mom. 

Fathers are very important in a child’s life. I can’t speak for every father in the world, but the father that I have is an amazing person inside and out. I wouldn’t change my dad for anything in this world. If I ever lost him I don’t know what I’d do.

My dad’s role in my life is irreplaceable. He offers me guidance, strength, and unconditional love. He provides a level of comfort and safety, while also teaching me life lessons through experiences. My dad has been there helping me build confidence in myself, showing that there isn’t any challenge I can’t do in life. Whether it’s playful moments or moral support, he has shaped my understanding of how love is supposed to be and inspires me to dream big and go after what I want. 

Quality Time

 I love spending time with family because it helps create lifelong memories. For as long as I can remember when the holidays came up, it was always the best time in the world. Seeing everyone enjoy each other’s presence is a great sight to see. Since my parents are no longer together, I often have to switch off who I’m with for the holidays. 

Christmas is my favorite holiday, second to my birthday. I love gift-giving because it makes me happy to see my loved one’s smile when they receive what they asked for. This is my first Christmas I am celebrating in my own apartment. I’m excited to enjoy time with my college friends before I go home for the holidays.

In my 21 years of living, I’ve never decorated a tree with my dad before. This year, I was finally able to, which made me extremely happy. We had Christmas songs playing in the background as we were decorating. I will cherish this memory for the rest of my life. 

A Little Hope

Whenever I start talking about my dad or mom, I get emotional, and I can’t even explain why. My dad isn’t perfect, but he goes above and beyond for me and my siblings. From the outside looking in, I can tell it takes a lot to be a parent. My mom shows me nothing but strength and courage every day, she is one of the strongest women I know. 

I understand it’s not easy to be a father, but my dad always puts in the effort to do his best. I often find myself crying when I think of my dad or even talk about him sometimes. I get a strong, tingly feeling in my throat and try to hold it back, knowing I’m going to cry. Even in those moments, I hold onto hope that one day I’ll understand the depth of my feelings. 

Even with my mom, it’s the same way; it’s just with my dad, I feel like it’s more effective for some reason. My mom always reassures me that I can come to her for anything, which is why I think I don’t get as emotional with her. The times that I do, though, she listens and has patience with me until I’m ready to talk. I appreciate her giving me the space instead of forcing me to face what I’m not ready for.

It’s okay to be emotional and not have all the answers right away. Sometimes, our emotions don’t have an explanation at first; they're just there. I’m learning that it’s okay to sit with those feelings, to feel the weight on them, and to trust that with time, the reasons will come to light. For anyone who feels this way, know that it’s okay to not have everything figured out. The hope is that, with patience and understanding, you will. We all will learn that there is nothing wrong with being vulnerable. Letting our emotions flow is important for growth. 

Level of Vulnerability

I used to think that being vulnerable meant that you were weak, but now I see it differently. Expressing my emotions, whether through tears or communicating with others, makes me stronger. I’m able to speak about what’s bothering me rather than keeping it inside and letting it taunt me. Being able to talk about my feelings to others allows me to be true to myself. 

When it comes to being vulnerable with my parents, they always find a way to reassure me that everything will be okay. My dad specifically has a special way of making everything better, even in a worst-case scenario. My parents' support has allowed me to become a better version of myself, and they both remind me at times when I feel alone that I’m not. I can turn to them whenever I need them because that’s what they're here for. 

Remain Hopeful

Even during my toughest moments, I remind myself to remain hopeful because my parents will always be there for me when I need them the most. They’ve taught me that challenges are temporary and that each obstacle that comes my way is a chance to grow. 

Whenever life feels overwhelming, I focus on the support and love my parents provide for me. When they’re around or simply just a phone call away, it makes me feel like all my problems could go away in an instant. I am forever grateful for them, words can’t express how much they mean to me. Once I get into my profession and become successful, I will give my parents everything they deserve plus more. 

Tying Things Up

Overall, it’s safe to say that I have learned a lot about my feelings when it comes to my parents, but even to this day, I know that I will always be emotional over them. They’re my safe space and they will continue to care for me even if the whole world is against me. It’s good to find your safe space in life because the world we live in can be cruel, but one thing for certain is that our parents should always be there for us no matter what. 

Having hope for things to get better becomes a guiding light when you have people who believe in you. The safe spaces we create with people who truly care about us are what gives us the courage to face anything that comes our way. 

To anyone reading this, I hope that you find your light, whether it’s with family, friends, or a place that makes you feel safe. Life is unpredictable, but the love and connections we hold close make every challenge worth facing. No matter where life takes me, the love that my parents provide will always be my foundation, and for that, I’ll forever be grateful. 

About the Author

Te’laira is a senior at the University of Nevada Las Vegas & majors in psychology. She is from Oakland, California. In her free time, she likes to hang out with her friends or watch TV shows. When she’s not doing those things though she’s probably shopping online. Te’laira is a new intern at LYF with the blog and newsletter team, and is enjoying every moment of her new journey.