Twenty-five years ago, my father made the decision to give up on his life submerged in alcohol for a life to live with my mother. Even through the onerous battle through withdrawal, he knew this was the best decision he could have made.

Not just for him, but for his future family. Growing up without the exposure of alcohol, I was protected from the effects of it on my guardians, those who are meant to protect me. As I grew up I began to take notice of other adults around me under the influence and felt strangely uncomfortable although I am well aware of the normalcy of it all. It wasn’t a feeling of fear but yet a feeling of confusion, like are parents supposed to be acting like this while supervising their children? Am I supposed to feel safe under their supervision?

Some could say I’m too young and naive to acknowledge the fact that parents want to a good time, too. Yet still, at 17 years old, I could not imagine my life with a fridge full of beer and wine pouring at the dinner table. Obviously, I am aware that it is a societal norm to drink alcohol as parents, and I have no problem with that. What I am even more mindful of is having a parent to raise me in an always conscious state of mind. I never had to impair my learning growing up by unconsciously mirroring influenced actions from my parents.

I’m not saying it isn’t okay to drink as a parent, but I am coming forward to say it makes a huge difference in a child’s development if they are exposed to alcohol. Personally, not only did it decrease the risk of addiction for my brother and I, but my father implemented resilience and health upon us. With the knowledge I have of my extended family, I know enough to say both of my parents were affected by the daily consumption of alcohol and because of this, they both grew up under harsher circumstances than they provided for my brother and I. To abandon what they grew up surrounded with is impressive to say the least. I could never be more proud to be their daughter.

Because of his sacrifice, my father has blessed his children with a life of protection, awareness, safety, and love. I could not imagine a life without a sober parent, it is truly something I am eternally grateful for.