“Sooner or later in life, we will all take our turn being in the position we once had someone else in. – Ashly Lorenzana.

I had to take my turn of having the roles reversed but I believe it has made me a stronger person. I believe that the roles in life can sometimes be reversed but it helps you learn how to take responsibility. Over years of hard times I have had to grow up faster but it has helped me become a more insightful person and it will help me in my future.

In May of 2015, my father and I traveled to Guam and Japan. I was ecstatic because I loved father/daughter vacations and he was always open-minded. I wanted my vacation to be like a scene from The Endless Summer but after six drinks, I knew this trip would leave a scar in my mind. I noticed he had already gone to the airport bar for a turquoise tropical drink and this was at 11:00 am. I knew something was bound to go wrong but I could not refuse to travel with him because I was half way across the world with nobody else to protect me. At the airport, I saw him swaying, stumbling, and stretching in odd ways. It broke my heart to see that he wasn’t in control. The tears ran down my face in the bathroom while on the phone with my mom who was furious that my dad would put me in this situation. My mother said, “It’s just not fair that you have to go through with this and it breaks my heart that I’m not there to help you.” I was alone with him and I felt like I couldn’t do anything. I had to be the parent because I was managing all of the papers, passports, and luggage. It was like walking on eggshells. I never knew when he would fall or yell or endanger another person. His slurred speech made my want to scream, “WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME?” My throat burned and my stomach churned. I felt like I was about to burst in anger, sadness, and disappointment. I felt like I was responsible for him. Like a mother is responsible for her child. I almost broke into tears giving the flight attendant our tickets with my shaky hands. I kept wishing someone would notice and that someone would step in and help. I considered telling the airport police but I knew that would land him in jail, which would ruin his life and mine. At that moment, I knew something had to change.

I realize that I have to become the parent sometimes so that I can take control of my life. I have more responsibilities now to make sure I am safe. I know that I can’t force my father to change but I can try to help. Right now, my safety and well-being is most important so I am going to do everything I can to make sure that isn’t lost. I try to look towards the future but it can sometimes be hard when you are stuck in a hurricane. Most kids don’t have grow up at the age of 13, but because I did, it made me a stronger person. I know things will get better and I know I will have to reverse the roles in my life sometimes in order for my future to be bright. And this I believe.