~Devin Whiteford, Class of 2023

Perch or Sunfish, Family Will Always Be There 

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Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.

~Michael J. Fox

The word “family” is a complicated word that means something different to each, and every person. My family has always supported me in my endeavors, always supported me when I was down, and always gave me the tools to be successful in life. It means someone who is there all your life for whatever you need

This was not more present than on a warm summer day when one of my family members helped me unhook a fish while I was fishing on a lake up in Canada. Tired, frustrated, and angry as I was, I couldn’t unhook the fish. The thing was squirming in my hands and I couldn’t get a good grasp to unhook. That’s when my dad showed up and saw I was struggling. He was careful, and meticulous when he helped me, and he showed me what to do. He took the fish, put its fins back, and swiftly took the hook out and when I was done the fish was off the hook, and I was fishing again. This might have happened once or twice but my dad was always there to help me unhook it, no matter what. Whether that was a sunfish or a perch he was right by my side. 4 ZIt doesn’t matter that I yelled at my dad or I said something wrong, he still helped me with no problems. He still was there to keep me fishing, and he certainly still wanted me to succeed rather than fail.

That moment on a lake up in Canada gave me knowledge. I now know my family will always help me no matter what. It doesn’t matter if I’m miles away or inches away, they will always help me and support me wherever I go.