A man of awesome personality and the winner of my unconditional trust, Raul Gonzalez, my father, made numerous life choices for me when I was younger. He continues to influence my decisions today. He is a man of strong character, a man who intimidates me with just a glance, a man whose incredible humor makes me laugh at the simplest things. I know a lot of people – especially Latino teenagers – who admire their parents for coming to a foreign country and beating the odds, but I also know that none of them can be compared to my dad, my idol.
However, unlike many immigrants who travel to the U.S. for financial necessities, my father arrived to seek adventure. A trailblazer in his own right, he wanted to meet his own extraordinary expectations. He was not satisfied with the opportunities Mexico offered and wanted something different from the traditional life of labor his family led. At age 14, he started his journey to this country with the idea that his first goal would be to enroll in school and learn English. He was in for a shock, though, because his uncles told him they needed him to work. Since he lived under their roof, he didn’t have an option.
Undeterred, he found resources to teach himself the confusing language of America by listening to the radio, watching television, and reading Dr. Seuss books. He can speak and read English passably but sometimes needs help with various complexities of the language. As a child I remember going to the bank, where my dad was served by a non-Spanish speaking employee who made incorrect transactions due to the language challenges. It was difficult for me to watch my father become frustrated. But occurrences such as this never stopped him from helping his non-English speaking friends set up their own bank accounts or file their taxes. Also, when we used to go out to eat, the servers so misunderstood my dad’s English that he often received the wrong food order. He continued to practice English, and always took initiative in any project in our community. Undaunted. The man is undaunted.
He continues to learn, thereby teaching me that nothing is impossible as long as I am willing to work for it. When I first began to write, he made me practice and practice until my work came close to perfection. When I brought home a report card with all A’s and one B, he gave me little praise for the A’s and instead concentrated on the one B. “If you got A’s in everything else, what’s this B doing here?” he would ask. His pushing me harder worked. In my favor, I am now the Salutatorian of my senior class.
He became a resident of the U.S. under Amnesty 86. Soon after his papers were in order, he freely traveled back and forth from the U.S. to Mexico, married my mom, and brought her to the U.S. to begin their life in this country. He worked two jobs, day and night shifts. My mom tells stories about the tears I shed because we rarely saw him. I don’t remember this time of our lives vividly, but I understand now that his exhausting efforts kept food on our table.
My father’s style of raising his kids was . . . well, unique. I remember him telling me to never hold my little brother’s hand when we crossed the street, to only cross the road when it was heavy with traffic, to hop right into strangers’ cars, and take anything I wanted that was not mine. This seemingly bizarre raising of his children is cultural, his use of reverse psychology. He would have never allowed any harm come to happen to me, nor would he have truly allowed me to steal, but his reasoning was that I would figure out myself what made sense and what didn’t. To this day I continue to use this manner of rationalization when making decisions.
He has faced so many problems that hindered him from doing what he desired, yet he never fails to achieve what he sets out to do. I firmly believe that is why he has always been such an influential person in my life. I recall living in a small apartment and seeing him cry because he did not have enough money to pay the rent and buy Christmas presents. Still, it did not take him long to find a temporary solution. He became a member of SAM’s Club and started buying huge boxes of candy. My brothers and I would then sell the candy and make a profit, money which would then be used for our basic needs. I have to admit that it felt cool being known as the neighborhood candy supplier at age eight.
When I was younger, I was so full of energy, always very competitive, and I could not cope with a loss. This flaw in me sometimes caused me to bully other little kids. In an effort to remedy this problem, my father signed me up for boxing. After the first week of training my dad asked the coach to throw me into the ring for a real fight, certain that I would endure a whooping. To everyone’s shock I actually won the match. My dad had found an outlet for my energy and competitiveness. With his encouragement, I continued boxing and have fought in World Championship tournaments.
I am well-rounded, excelling in sports, academics and leadership roles, but my dad insists I do these things well in two languages: English and Spanish. This way of thinking, ironically, has led to much improvement in our lives. But it’s funny my dad is my number one fan; he is also my biggest critic.
Because of my dad, I have the mentality to change what I don’t like, and if I can’t change it, I can change the way I think about it. I love my father…I love my hero.
I think that this one was uploaded incorrectly. It’s a good story but the paragraphs keeps repeating themselves.
Thank you,it’s fixed now:)
great essay! hope you win.
Great story! Your father sounds like he is a really good father. Reverse psychology seems to work really well, I think. My mother bought me tons of chips, pop, and candy when I was younger, and I don’t have those cravings now, in fact, I’m quite averse to junk food.
Awesome and touching story.(:
nice Story hope you win hijin..
Great essay. Your dad sounds like quite a character. Learning a second language is not easy and takes so much patience. Your dad will be so proud to read your essay.
Very good essay! Your dad is a perfect example of how to fight adversity. Hope you win, Good Luck!!
Now it’s working! Great essay!
I saw the movie “The Fighter” last night, so I reallly appreciate your boxing interest. You certainly profited from your father’s perserverance and discipline. And Kudos to you for admitting a negative about yourself, that takes character!
Great essay, could not have been told any better. I hope you win for this attention getting essay. Great father…Great Son! Self Explanatory!
good luck, you got my vote
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my essay, my dad always encourages me not to be a leader who makes people believe in myself, but to be a great leader that makes people believe in themselves. I am lucky to have him in my life! :)
Your father’s a very wise man. We should not become leaders whose primary objective revolves around prized fame and self-centered respect; more so, we should lead others to dig deep within themselves, in order to find their inner being, to show them what they’re truly made of.
Great Essay! i love it your father is such a role model, this is epic& inspirational
Good Job ! Its Very Touching & Brave Of you to put your life out like that i know i would not do it .
Very Thougthful Essay Adan Good Luck (:
Such a great essay adan wish you the best of luck have my vote(:
Greatly done the epic was beautifully told that is what success really is, hard work and determination
i think i voted already
-aranda
Great essay! Hope you WIn!
I believe that anyone that wants to come and build a life here should be welcomed with open arms. Your dad sounds like a very upstanding guy, and his unique style seems to have worked its effect! Good luck!
What a great article! Well written and full of emotion. I teared up as your dad was tearing up because he couldn’t afford Christmas presents. I’ve had the honor of meeting you and know what an upstanding person you are, I know that you will truly blossom in life!
Your Dad sounds a lot like my Grand Father. Good for you that you have found such inspiration with your dad. He sounds like a great and hard working person. You can learn a lot from people like that! Good luck.
Thanks,
Timothy
great essay :)
Nice Essay . Hope You Win (:
Hope you win!
Great ! Hope you win.
great essay adan!
you will win :D
Good job !
good essay cousin…
Your dad taught you so many important lessons that you will keep for a lifetime. Yay for him, and yay for you! I will vote for you when you run for President of the USA!
A very very touching and warm ode to your father. Thanks very much for sharing and I am glad you have taken lessons from this great sounding man.
This is amazing. I love it because it’s very similar to how my mom ( being Mexican, as well) brought me up. I now Kick-box and play soccer, I’ve found that your essay is so true to my life as well- my sports have become my outlets too. I was looking for some inspiration to enter in a contest as well, I believe I just found it. You are amazing, and your dad is too (:
Awe I love this story..very cute. He is your #1 hero.
Parents show they love you when they are hard on you. They want what is best. Its great for them to still be there and tell you when you need adjusting :)