In kindergarten, I had this special and personal bond with my first friend. For the sake of this story, let’s refer to her as Amy. I met Amy on my first day of kindergarten and she was always closer to me. She didn’t have a father growing up. And so she would always hold a special place in my heart
Amy and I did everything together. We sat next to each other in class, ate lunch together, and played at recess every day together. She will always hold a special place in my heart.
At first, it was only occasional tantrums at recess in 1st grade. Then, it turned into her stop doing her homework in 4th grade. Before I knew it, in 7th grade, I found Amy vaping in the school bathroom. But she will always hold a special place in my heart.
High school approached and Amy and I went our separate ways. I heard that she dropped out of high school at 14. I heard that when she was 15 she got put in juvie for shoplifting. And I heard that tragically at 17 she killed herself. She always held a special place in my heart.
As I look back on my life and Amy’s I noticed how much easier it was for me in 1st grade to not throw tantrums. I noticed how much easier it was for me to do my homework on time in 4th grade. I noticed how much easier it was for me not to vape in the school bathroom in 7th grade. I noticed how much easier it was for me to stay in school at 14. I noticed how much easier it was for me to not be placed in juvie because it was easier for me not to shoplift at 15. I noticed how much easier it was for me to live at 17. It was easier for me because of the home I came from.
I was beyond blessed to grow up in a loving home with two married parents who raised me with Jesus Christ at the center of our home.
I didn’t write this story to highlight how much of a better person I am than Amy was. I am writing it to illustrate the struggles and the unfortunate reality of children who grow up in a home with an absent father. I am writing to depict the importance of the presence of two loving, married parents or guardians in a home when raising children. I am writing to encourage those of you who are also blessed with present parents, to always have a heart of gratitude, work hard, and be kind to others just as your parents are to you.
