May 2011 - Jefferson County Public Schools

A Father’s Creation
Roxanna Batista
I never paid much attention to my parents’ feelings. I was a greedy little person living in my own world.
I thought that I deserved everything, and that they had to give me anything that I asked for, only because I
received good grades in school, and was never in trouble. I took my parents for granted, and didn’t realize the
importance of loving the ones that brought me to this world until some things happened, events that changed my
mind and my heart. My father, the person who made me, who gave me life, whose heart belongs to me, and has
dedicated his entire life to me, saved me. He showed me how important it is not to ignore the feelings for those
who are able to give their life for mine.
The sun rose in the clear, blue sky like a newborn child. I woke up and ran to my father’s arms to hear
the big surprise. “Guess what? We are going to the beach,” he said. He always took me to the beach on
Saturdays, but it was a very special day because it was my birthday. I was turning five that day, the same day I
came back from death. As always, my mom prepared breakfast and we all sat together. I packed some things
and went to the backyard to take our dog with us. I always liked taking her to the beach to hear the sound of her
paws splashing in the water. I put on my favorite bikini, which was black with yellow stripes; I looked like a
bee, which is why I liked it so much. My mother wasn’t going with us that day, she had to visit town to buy
some food. My father grabbed my small backpack and we started our way.
The beach wasn’t so far away. We could take the bus, or take my uncle’s motorcycle. But we enjoyed
walking, to admire nature in such a beautiful morning in a healthy way. The weather channel had announced
some rain for the day, but we didn’t care, especially because the sky looked so clear, you could almost predict
that nothing was going to ruin our special day. The sand, as white as snow, was shining like little pieces of
crystal all together. The water was as transparent as a piece of glass, inviting us to take a splash. It was the
perfect day, and the perfect time to follow a little golden fish coming through my path.
All of a sudden, the sky turned black as if the clouds were mad. I couldn’t see the golden fish anymore. I
felt the danger, but my feet weren’t reaching the sand; I was gasping for air while I heard father desperately call
me, but I could not answer back. Every time I tried to scream, my mouth got filled with water. I closed my eyes
for a while, and then I opened them and saw a light. I could barely see. I felt confused and disorientated. My
little body became tired, and I got carried away by the waves. Then I felt something that grabbed me, and pulled
me back to the surface. I was half unconscious, but somehow I knew it was my father. I was able to open my
eyes for a moment, and as I saw his face; I knew I was no longer in danger.
Such events strengthened ties between me and my father. That day I learned to give my father the value
he deserved, and that I should never underestimate the people that love me. He made me feel protected by his
side, and that nothing bad will happen to me as long as he is there to protect me.
My father has also taught me over the course of my life, that he has other goals and visions besides me.
He has his purposes well defined, which makes me feel proud of him because, not only has he taught me to be a
mature person, but he has his own personal goals he wants to achieve. He is the kind of person who achieves
everything he wants to; he never leaves anything for later because, as he taught me, it’s better not to leave for
tomorrow what you can do today. I also don’t feel selfish by letting my father work on his personal life rather
than paying attention to me all the time. Everyone needs their own space to work on their problems, just as I do
when I need to solve anything.
As a grown young adult, I look back and I thank my father for always being by my side. He has always
been a faithful man; he never left us, even in bad times. I realize I acted wrong as a little girl, but I’ve changed
and followed my father’s steps, which has made me a better person. I am his creation; he turned me into the
responsible and respectful person that I am today. I am always going to follow and continue to learn his
lessons.