My role model, my strength, my motivation

By Maribel Natera
College of Education
Long Island University, C. W. Post
October , 2010

Today's class was great. I invited my dad to the class and it was so great having him with me. He never attended any school in the United States and it was cool to have him sit in a college class with me. I tried to think of not crying but i get so emotional when I think of everything my parents have done for me that I can't help but cry because I am so full of gratitude for them that its natural for me to cry.

This class also made me realize how we are all in a similar situation in which we struggle financially. I obviously knew I was not the only one, but it was comforting to know that in one class many of us share that struggle. overall i think we learned a lot from each other and became closer because we shared many personal issues that gave us some type of insight into each others lives. it was an amazing class and a very comforting one.
some of the things i did not mention about my dad and why he was my role model is his attitude and overall appearance. my dad can be buried with work and issues and no one would ever know. He may have a lot of issues but unless you talk to him and get it out of him you would never know because he doesn't express stress. he is usually very clam and nonchalant. he may be tired because of his work loud but never feel a sense of loss of control. overall my dad is highly respected by my family and his friends, which is something you can not buy, only earn.

i want to thank Dr. Boyanton for this experience and chance to tell my dad how much i appreciate and love him. it was a great class and i hope one day to give my students the opportunity to express their gratitude to one another and the person they love the most.