The Lion's Pride Lion's Pride Volume 12 (Spring 2019) | Page 54

The Light at The End of the Tunnel
Claudia Galvez
I wrote this personal narrative for English 101. I told this story in my
father’s perspective, hoping that I can bring his story to life and inspire
anyone who ever finds themselves in a situation of tying to move forward
after a life-altering event. This is my dad's story, told in his voice.
My motivation for a better life for myself and my family came from
most heartrending and emotionally scarring events in my life. My
father's passing was that life-altering event that changed my life forever.
I was sixteen years old, the oldest of nine siblings. His passing brought
pain, sadness, but, most importantly, a great load of responsibility. I
turned this event into my motivation to pick up where my father left off
and raise my siblings. My journey of dealing with my emotions while at
the same time having to be a parent to nine siblings was difficult. But I
hope that it will positively impact anyone who finds themselves in a
situation of trying to move forward after a life-altering event.
September 12 th , 1984 was the day I was leaving for Mexico to go to
the United States, but before I left, I went up to my father, hugged him,
and told him that he had to quit drinking for our family. He put his bottle
of whiskey down and put his hand on my cheek. “No te preocupes mijo,
voy a tratar.” He told me he’d try his best. As I walked away, I tried
holding my tears back, but the knot that I felt in my throat was much too
big to hold back. Tears started to come down my cheeks. I cried not
because I was leaving, but because I knew he wouldn’t quit. I arrived in