In May 2017 my family and I suffered through the loss of my mother. I was only thirteen years old. My father, a working man, was left stranded and confused on what to do next with three girls looking to him for help when she passed in 2017. Throughout the years he has put in tireless effort to keep a roof over our heads and groceries in the fridge while keeping himself together after the loss of his soulmate. My mom and dad had a beautiful relationship and were married for thirty years. I grew up watching how they loved one another and it provided me with a lovely example for when I decide to create my own family. My dad is a social worker, and in the earlier years when my mother passed he would work overnight in the city of chicago, away from his children at home. He would be gone from 8pm-9am the next morning but he would still check on us almost every hour. Even now, my dad still works grueling hours. He works everyday for more than twelve hours a day, and still finds time to talk to us or have fun. My dad grew up with eight siblings so he is no stranger to having to work hard to make your mark on the world, and to make your presence stick. Though most of my childhood I remember my mother the most, as I’ve gotten older I realize the reason things were running smoothly is because my dad was the backbone. Without him, we would not have had any means to live a fulfilling, fun childhood decorated with toys, bright Christmases, and warm cooked meals. He is a family man through and through, and now more than ever, I know that it was the strength of our family that got him through, and the strength of his love that got my sisters and I through this hard time. If I did not have such a hardworking father I do not believe I would be in the position I am now, open and ready to accept new opportunities that are to come. My dad has three degrees, and views going to school as fun and a way to better yourself. It is because of his work ethic that I am dedicated to obtaining both my bachelor’s degree and my master’s degree in psychology. My father Ndidi Enuenwosu has taught me how to be strong in the face of adversity and push through any obstacle that comes my way. He has taught me that when life gets you down, you have to get back up because there is no other choice. Time waits for no one, and neither does life. When something bad happens to you, you cannot watch life pass you by. He taught me that it is okay to take time to grieve, but for the success of yourself you must push through and keep going. For the past nine years since my mom left, I have watched him keep going. I have watched him bend over his desk, stress over how to pay the bills and somehow still get them in on time. I have watched him grow in the same way he has watched me. The loss of one parent makes the appreciation for your remaining one stronger, because you realize that anything can happen at any moment. My appreciation only grows for my father everyday because I know without him I wouldn’t be here today.