“Dad, wake up. I need to leave for school.” I said as my dad lay on the floor of our bathroom. I shook my sleeping father to wake up. I cried, scared that he was dead. When he finally woke up I was grateful that he was alive. He was anything but happy. My dad resented his little girl for waking him up from his drunken stupor. The smell of alcohol seeped from his pores along with his anger. Anger that I wanted to leave. Anger that I was waking him up. Anger that I wasn’t her. My name is Angela Hernandez. I was named after my father’s best friend, who he always said was the love of his life. My whole life I have been confronted with the idea that I had to fill the void left by her, especially after his many failed attempts at relationships, including his relationship with my mother. I felt the need to make him feel like he had someone who he could depend on. But that ultimately is a lot of pressure to put on someone, particularly for a child. Looking down at my father, I realized I would have to become a more independent and self-sufficient young woman. For a while he urged me to live up to his expectations and make him happy. Until eventually it became too overwhelming. Having the constant obligation make him proud rather than chasing my own dreams. Essentially I had to learn for myself that it was not healthy to live searching for constant acceptance. As a result of this I came to the realization that I had to fight for that little girl who was crying because of her father’s neglect. I had to finally acknowledge the trials and tribulations he put her, me, through. Rather than prove to him my accomplishments, I strove to prove to myself that I can do anything. As a little girl I understood that school would help me accomplish anything. It was my hope for the future and my escape from the present. School would give me the chance to use my mind to focus on my favorite subjects, English and Math, instead of dwelling on the hardships that I have faced. My academic success has always been incredibly important to me. It allowed me to prove to myself, and others, that the hardships I faced left no room for excuses. Finding success in school is what kept me motivated to move forward into the future I dreamed of having one day. Through my struggles and self reflection, I learned to lean on the rest of my family for support and encouragement. They encouraged me to have faith that although my life may seem desolate, it would get better if I continued to focus on my path. Having that support was key to not veering off the road I had paved for myself. It is because of my early life experiences that I believe everyone needs a substantial support system and the help that they need to overcome their trials. This realization is why I intend to emphasize my studies in psychology. That way I can acquire the skills necessary to become a successful psychologist providing the tools and strategies to help others overcome the obstacles in their lives. Especially, if like I did, they feel as if they have no one they can turn to. By following this path, not only will I help myself overcome past traumas, but I will be able to pay it forward. Which is, I believe, our responsibility on earth.