Not just a father, but a best friend

Growing up

When I was 4 my father left my family to go and move to live in a elderly care facility. I didn't understand the situation, all I understood was that my father would miss out on my life. My dad at least was able to see me dance for him when I was 3. Even though it would not be my best dancing I am still blessed that he saw me.

My childhood was hard because during my primary years all the kids would have to write poems or letters to their dad, I was not able to do that. I sat there and had to improvise while all the other kids were writing these beautiful letters to there fathers when I just had to write letters to my mother. I remember my 3rd grade teacher telling my mother that once when we had to make a speech about our parents, that I got through reading about my mum but when it got to my dad that I burst out crying and went very emotional.

No child should have to go through that I was very unlucky that I am going through this, but my teacher said this to me and I find it very encouraging " you may not think it or see it but you Hayley are stronger than all the other kids because you have had to adjust to this situation which is not easy to adapt to but you Hayley are handling it very well which makes you stronger than any of the other kids"