My Father's Daughter

the true story of my father, drugs, and me...

My Father’s Daughter

            The year was 1996 and the night was cold and rainy. A man I knew well Charles Chandler lay on a beat up sofa in his dirty cramped hotel room. He had nothing to comfort him but an old TV and his stash of drugs. It was a normal thing for Charles to get high, but this night was different. And with the drugs coursing through his veins it was already too late to figure out why.

            His mother and three sisters wanted nothing to do with him and his two sons Tommy and Charlie hated him for leaving them and their mother. Charles did not know though that his girlfriend Robin Heard and his two-year-old daughter Carol Chandler loved him and wanted him to come home. Yes that is right Charles was my father and he was a drug addict. My father died that night never knowing the family he was leaving behind.

            My mom used to talk about him when I was younger. He had short black curly hair, blue eyes, and he was in the five foot range. My mother and he planed on getting married after he got clean, but he never could. I was told that he tried but once he was hooked there was no way out.

            My mother grew up with him, his brother, and three sisters. She used to talk about the good times they had playing Sewer Tag and One Catch All. She also told me about the time my dad jumped over a white picket fence and his jeans got stuck on one of the points. It must have been so funny to watch him dangle upside-down. Or the time he jumped off a porch and had a nail go through his foot…yah he did a lot of stupid things.

            As I grew up it was obvious that my family was different than most of my friends. I never went to daddy daughter dances, went fishing, or built tree houses like a lot of the kids around me were taking for granted. I never once felt sorry for myself though. Other kids used to ask me what it was like to lose my dad and I would always say the same thing. “I don’t know, because he is still with me.” He left things with me that make up a big part of who I am today. He left me with the knowledge to never do drugs, to treat all people no matter how different than you kindly, and of course my blue eyes.

            I don’t have many physical possessions left behind by my father. I have only two or three photos of us together, the promise ring he gave to my mother, and my prized possession the one and only letter written by my father. The only legal proof that he was my father and the only thing that holds the words “I love you.”

            I often wonder what my life would be like if he had not died; I know it would be very different. If he had not passed my mother would have never put me in day care which though led to some abuse it also brought me together with friends I followed to Washington Elementary. There I honed my skills for writing poetry which followed me to middle school. I met many people that have left impressions in my life and I have met a few where I have done the same.

            Because of my father my mother’s life and my own has been hard but meaningful. Because of him I am understanding, giving, hard headed, stubborn, argumentative, I always stand up for what I believe in, and I am strong. These are all characteristics that my father left me and they all make up who I am. So who am I? I am Carol Chandler…and I am my father’s daughter.

 

 

This was a paper I was assigned to write last year in 8^th grade. The assignment was to pick something or someone that made you who you were and I picked my father. I hope that after reading this you go and tell someone that you love them, because tomorrow is never a guarantee. Spend the time that you have wisely and never take one moment for granted. We only get one chance at this; don’t live your life with regrets…Voice

 

Author's Note

The hotel in the picture is the actual hotel that my father died in it took a while but I found it...

Reviews

[closed account]

I loved your honesty and strength in this write, you
wrote with such passion and directness! There
really isn't another way to write it, you executed
and right on demand. I am sure that your daddy
is very proud of his young lady daughter!!
thank you for sharing this! thank you for sharing
your fathers story!!

[Shellie]

This is utterly heartbreaking, but also full of strength. Now I know ur real name, Carol! same as my sister.
This is a wonderful tribute to your dad and very honest. Its horrible you were so young when he died but at least with the letter he told you he loved you. You surely got an A for this, I dont know how it could be beat. Wll done, its perfct!

[vickie]

Hi Carol-
I doubt your teacher could get through this without crying. It really broke my heart. Thanks for sharing this story. It seems like you are very wise for your years. So many people have tragedies and tough childhoods, and use them as an excuse for never achieving anything meaningful. I don't think you'll have that problem. Keep writing!

Vickie

[Spoken]

wow, very wisely written girl. You have taken nothing but great things from a seemingly difficult situation. That shows great strength.

I love the way you have laid your thoughts down. starting in the beginning with the image of your father in the hotel, then sharing the small special memories of him your mother shared through the years, what you have come to perceive through the experience. I bet ya got an A+ for this one :)

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Oh wow... your story though with tragedy is really fully of sweet inspiration and lessons... the fact you still hold on and cherish he things left behind is heartwarming for you are so correct that they loved ones leave us with things like wisdom and love... I lost my mom three years ago and learned that you have to cherish every moment with loved ones and more importantly let them know how you feel for you never know when if you will get to again. Thank you for sharing such a deep and personal part of your life with us. I applaud you.

[Akash]

Its riveting, stark and heart breaking.
I am a fan of personal works...where the writer immerse himself/herself in the best of all..
This forms part of a wonderful and sad ride.
This isnt just a piece...its art...a painful one...
Very good...

[Phenomena]

I fully agree with Emmie!:) That is just so sad... I'm so proud that you have stayed strong throughout this whole catastrophe:) Let your father rest in peace and hope to ttyl:)
Another Great write!!!:)
God Bless:)

[Victoria Harlequin]

Carol, this may seem pointless to you because I see you everyday - literally -, but I would like to put in my two cents. Or fifty. You are such a strong person with so much enthusiasm. Unlike any of my other friends, you have a confidence that is unbreakable and you are funny as h - e - double hockey sticks. :'] I
swear, I don't know how boring my life would have been if I hadn't been introduced to you, and to be quite
honest ... I don't want to know! It takes a very strong person to post something like this, given the fact that is so personal. You're open minded and extremely talented. You are gonna go places girl!

P.S. - Here is a scene that I predict will happen in the future (if we stay friends) :

You: Oh, remember that one time when we got lost trying to find the L.P high school? Hahaha... good times

Me: (glaring at you) OH yes.... good times.... freaking fantastic times!!!

You: Eheheh.... hahahahahahaha.. .... uhm (bursting out into more laughter)

Me: (Shaking my head) Ladies and gentlemen, we have an encore!!

You: Shut up you T I T T E E E.

Me: ( >_o ) (laughter)

You: (MORE laughter) I'm going to pee!!

Me: Uhh.... HAHAHAHAHA.... I think I am too. (looks around) Oh boy...

Yes, I know this would've been better in a message, but I COULD NOT resist. I wonder how many people will read this :D

[Changed to a New Accoun..]

this was an amazing peice of writiting! i bet u got an A on this in 8th grade.
when u discribed ur dad when he was younger it sounded like a lot of my xs always going crazy stupid funny things lol... i cant imagine what it must have been like to not have ur dad around becuase my situation wehn i grew up was quite the opposite...but again nice work

[Gandré]

this was beautiful, I have huge respect. I found Emmie's review could also be my words.
This strength and intelligence nobody can take away . It is wonderful that you see in your father positive characteristics. This drug industry is to blame and not individuum. And nobody knows the consciousness of an addict, so they can't say - how they would act. we need compassion for everyone, they are a part of us. This is what I believe.