I lost my father when I was eleven years old. I vividly recall waking up after a long night’s sleep, and the moment I stepped out of my room, my life took a turn for the unimaginable. He lost his three-year battle with cancer and left a heartache that shattered my family’s foundation, strength, and stability. Without him, we were lost.

My mom had put aside her pain and shouldered the burden, working two jobs as we transitioned to a new reality. My older sister became our second mother to care for us, while our mom became the sole financial provider. The stress took a toll on my mother in the first year, leading to a phase of facial paralysis. She destroyed her back after the heavy labor she endured as an agriculture worker and special needs caregiver. We lacked any financial backup or plan to navigate the challenging situation we found ourselves in. We buried our sadness and grief to focus on finding solutions. 

Reflecting now, my father’s death may have been inevitable, but life could have been financially easier if there had been life insurance. With life insurance, my mother might not have had to compromise her physical health through overwork. She could have been more present at home, sharing in our grief. My older sister could have managed college payments, avoiding the need to pause her education due to our financial constraints. Having my mom by my side with less stress on her shoulders might have encouraged me to ask for the help I needed. Observing my family persisting through struggles, I developed an untreated major depressive disorder that prevailed for years until I could no longer focus or converse without crying. After graduating high school, amid the peak of my depression, the onset of COVID felt like life itself had vanished. Fortunately, my mom and older sister intervened, urging me into therapy and encouraging the pursuit of my degree. Enrolling in community college, I discovered a passion for positively impacting others’ lives. As a Business Management major, I aim to establish a nonprofit supporting low-income families in their journey of self-improvement.

I learned strength early on, working since high school to support my mom even in the slightest way possible. Juggling a job as a receptionist, babysitting, and being a full-time student, I maintained excellent grades with my depression tagging along all the way. I matured rapidly, mastering budgeting and self-restraint, driven by the constant goal of helping my family have enough to pay the bills. I became independent and dedicated, always being the best daughter my mom deserved.