All I ever wanted was for my dad to say he loved me, appreciated me, or was proud of me. Never have I heard the words "Good job, son"--three simple words that could have changed my entire way of thinking and the way that I chose to live my life. I would hit rock bottom and claw my way up again and still never hear those words. It took time, patience, and a wonderful woman to make me realize that I didn't really need his approval. I had built the "me" I always wanted to be on my own. I had risen above.

All I ever wanted was for my dad to say he loved me, appreciated me, or was proud of me. Never have I heard the words "Good job, son"--three simple words that could have changed my entire way of thinking and the way that I chose to live my life. I would hit rock bottom and claw my way up again and still never hear those words. It took time, patience, and a wonderful woman to make me realize that I didn't really need his approval. I had built the "me" I always wanted to be on my own. I had risen above.