WHAT I AM TODAY THANKS TO...

Everyone has their special person who stands by their side and pushes them to move forward in their lives. For me, it’s my father. Life is precious but only if we start appreciating it and look for the positive sides. If you can't see these ones, it doesn't mean they don't exist. Suiciding, regretting, giving up, panicking, getting depressed or frustrated are not a solution. Well, that's also true that they are not something we can control but yes, we can try to limit them by finding solutions. It's difficult but not impossible.

Everytime I feel like giving up, from the smallest to the biggest problems, I remember my father's words: "Everybody is able to give up, but only those who have guts to still live are real heroes!" It's something very simple and taken for granted but, for me, it's really powerful and it's the sparkle of hope that gives me strength to move on. My dad. The greatest, best, loveliest, most motivating, hard-working person I've ever met in my life. I never told him how much I love, respect and admire him. That could be something very simple for you but not for me, probably because I belong to a country where children aren't used to doing normally what you people do. It's not that simple taking photos with our parents, hugging them or expressing our love to them. I don't know why but it's something in the veins of almost all the country. My father started working when he was 16 years old. He came here and was mistreated, he did different jobs just to permit himself what he needed. It wasn't as easy as it seems by reading: he used to sleep literally in the fields (on the soil), collect the harvest under the sun for a minimum of five to six hours nonstop and more. All this, to say that even if he lived in such hard conditions, he never gave up and that's what gives me motivation. I remember when I came here and didn't know how to speak Italian and he was the one who said that I have to work hard by myself because no one will stay by my side everywhere and everytime I'll need them. Whenever I felt down, he was there. Whenever I needed him, he was there. Whenever I feel like giving up, he is always there telling me that he has expectations from me and that he believes in me. He is my hope and I am his but it doesn't absolutely mean that I love my mother less. It's just that she gets emotional over little things as she has a very soft heart and I personally ressemble more to my father.

Today, I don't cry like I used to do 7 years ago. As I grew up, I realised that I am no longer the person I was before: softhearted, cry baby, pessimistic, depressed, emotional, serious, weak in character. Today, I am totally different and it's a big and satisfying achievement for me. What I was before was because of society but what I am today is thanks to my father.