I'm A Half-Orphan, But Don't Throw Me A Pity Party
Start writing a post
Relationships

I'm A Half-Orphan, But Don't Throw Me A Pity Party

There's a party going on, but there's no sadness, only celebration.

647
I'm A Half-Orphan, But Don't Throw Me A Pity Party
Min An

Losing a parent is never easy, especially if you were close to them. You look to them for all your advice on life. You get angry with them if they do something totally unreasonable, like ground you or something. They tend to get on your nerves sometimes. But you know the age-old saying, "You never know what you have until it's gone." So, appreciate your parents while you have them.

Nine years ago, my dad passed away almost suddenly. I don't want to go into the details because it is much more depressing than what I'm about to write. The only thing I'll say for now is that four days before he passed was the very last day we saw him alive. None of us knew that he would be gone then.

The funeral wasn't even until 3 weeks later because he was all the way in another state. The entire month of January 2009 was a nightmare that I kept wanting to wake up from, but the more time went by, the more reality started to sink in: my father was gone. Long gone and never coming back.

But why?! I was only 14 years old and a freshman in high school. It felt like a huge part of my life was just taken away from me so quickly. While I continued to go to school and do what I had to since I wasn't even trying to be held back a year, I felt like everything just ended. All I wanted to do was sit alone in an empty white room and not be bothered for a very long time.

Really thinking about it, I realized he wouldn't be able to see me go to my prom (it was horrible anyway so he was spared nonetheless), he wouldn't see me graduate high school and turn 18 the next day, and he won't see me finally graduate from college. As a kid, I always said I would be devastated if I lost either one of my parents because I love them both so much and equally. I just didn't think it would actually happen so soon.

I'm about to be 24 this year. I can't believe this either because I still don't even feel 21! It's really hard to believe it's been almost a decade since my father died. How did this happen? I really managed to make it through nine whole years without him? Don't ask me how I did it because so much time has passed I guess I didn't even think about it. It's actually pretty remarkable.

I went to a lot of concerts, started living on my own, and doing all of these great things and taking more risks. I always say I didn't think I would make it this far, but given these circumstances, I genuinely didn't think I would. I'm proud of myself for persevering despite this tragedy.

To anyone who ever meets me and learns this fact about me, all I ask is that you please don't throw me a pity party. Yes, it's sad that my father passed away. Yes, I still get sad about it sometimes. Heck, you would too if you lost a relative you were pretty close to. But am I gonna let this get me down any longer? No. I got a life to live that would make even my most distant ancestors proud!

It doesn't get any easier dealing with the death of someone close to you... but it does get better and the sun still shines!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

49714
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

31672
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955238
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180434
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments