This person has always been in my life, from the day I first opened my eyes to the present moment. This person is a teacher, a guide, and a source of strength and support. He is whom I look up to with loving trust and pride. With a willing hand to lend, he is a helper, an adviser and my partner in crime. He showed me the stars and taught me how to reach them. This person means the world to me, so who is this influential person in my life? He is my one and only father.
My father acquired his life lessons by overcoming the adversities he faced growing up in Saigon, Vietnam. Education costs money in Vietnam, and there are no such things as public schools. My father is one of eight children in his family; therefore, my grandparents could not afford to provide a full education for all of their children. However, he was fortunate enough to reach high school but never graduated due to financial setbacks. Not being able to obtain a full education has hindered him in his life. Because of this, he understands how important education is in order to succeed in life.
In the summer of 1991, my whole family and I immigrated to the United States in hopes of a better life. My hardships are nothing compared to the hardships that my father went through in order to get me to where I am today.
Here, in America, my family faced yet another obstacle. They did not speak a word of English and had no financial support. Despite this, they were able to find jobs and worked hard to pay for rent and food. I watched my dad come home after working 12 hours a day. My father always provided me with the necessities in life: food, clothing, shelter, and so much more. He sacrificed himself so I can have more than he ever had. He has given me so much, including the most important thing in the world: all of his love.
He came here uneducated and