I can say from experience that being raised by a single parent is hard. Looking to that one parent as your everything and knowing that they're the only one you have been hard, yet good at the same time. A single parent is one parent (can either be a father or mother) who is raising their children on there own, without the other parent. I guess you never know what life will throw out at you; but in my case, I survived and am stronger than ever. I thank God every day that I have my mother there to guide and support me. Here we go.

Part of getting raised by one parent is the feeling of emptiness, not knowing the other parent that well or at all. In my case, I knew my father but I barely saw him. I always felt that there was a part of me that never had that "father figure" in my life. But, usually in single parent situations, there's usually another family member of the opposite sex steps up and takes on that role. For me, that was my Uncle Jish; who in turn treated me like his second son and I look to him more as a father figure than my own. I always wanted a relationship with my father, but I knew that i'd never get it. This longing for it eats me up ever. I see my friend call her father at least three times a day, and it kills me because I know that I could never do that. I went to her house and driving with them, seeing their lively conversations broke my heart. Always remember, that the other parent is always there, whether in spirit or not there. They're always your parent, but you don't need them to thrive in life.

Much responsibility is taken when you're the child of the single parent, this ongoing fear of what to do with your parent when they get to the age of them needed taking care of. My biggest fear is that my mother won't have anywhere to go when she needs taking care of. That's all on me, and nobody else. I pray every day that my mother will have the best rest of her life and that everything comes easily to her. All of your parent(s) final expenses come to your hands..... it's a very big responsibility, but one that I am willing to take on.

Now, my life was never easy. I never had anything handed to me and never will. My mother raised me to be independent, self-sufficient and realistic. But, I had a hard life in all, most of my dreams were shot down because my mother knew she could never give them to me. My mother used to always tell me that one day we'd be able to get a 2-bedroom house in West Hartford, CT and we'd have a Golden Retriever puppy named Mollie. That never happened. Compromise is something I had to learn very fast at a very young age. I never had all of the nice things, because with a mother who worked a part-time job, the money was never there. Everything I got I had to work for, and I still believe in that to this day. Understand, that this is hard, but it will make you stronger in the end. I learned that, and am so happy that I did.

In social situations, it's always hard for me to see my friends calling their parents multiple times a day. I act like nothing's wrong, but really I'm heartbroken. I'm a heartbroken person longing for that kind of parent-child relationship. When I go to my friends house, I become uncomfortable because I am not used to two married, happy parents. But what's crazy, I love it. I crave going to my friends house because all I've ever wanted, and all I want to do is be around a happy, stable family. My friends don't even know this, cause this is not something that I tell them. When we talk about our families, I rarely have anything to say because I don't have the normal family situation. I feel they understand, but I don't actually think they do. Your friends are usually nonjudgmental and love you for who you are. But if you are buried because of it, then they are not the true friend that you deserve.

Going on vacation is rare, but rewarding at the same time. In 2012, I got to go to Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL with my mother. I can honestly say with tears in my eyes that it was the BEST five days of my life. Seeing my mother in a different light is something that I will never see again. I came to find out before that Disney was my mother's first vacation ever. That was so sad, it made me realize all of the sacrifices that my mother made for me. Seeing my mother this way made me want to go on as many vacations with her before she dies. When she dies, I do not know what I will do. She is my everything, I know other people with single parents feel the same. They fill up your heart and you always feel that protecting them is what you have to do. It's a great feeling in the end.

All in all, having a single parent is hard, but rewarding at the same time. Life was hard, and the struggle was real. I always had my head held high and my dreams and goals up there, and because of it, I achieved them and my mother couldn't be prouder. To my friends, I thank you for taking me to your houses and letting me practically be a part of your family; you will never know how much it means to me. Single parents are honestly the best, and without them, what would we do. Single-parented children have to stick together! My mother is my rock, my world and my best friend.