Being the youngest in your family is typically very difficult; you might give respect, but you can’t expect to get it back. That’s what I learned, or what I think I learned from when I was younger. As I grew older, I started to realize why. My dad was always there to share his life experiences and tell me what I could learn from my experiences and mistakes. My mother taught me countless lessons, but the most important ones were academic. Lastly, my sister taught me so many things in both personal and social life. I credit these three significant figures with teaching me how to live life, no matter which aspect. 

I’ve always told everyone that my father is like an old and wise teddy bear, someone who barely gets mad and is always there whenever you need a hug. He also has lived a very fulfilling life and has multiple life experiences that he uses to teach me a lesson from. On a ride home from volleyball practice, he would often talk about his old experiences. The talks about his old experiences always came with a lesson, and those lessons have taught me a lot. 

He was the one who taught me basic and proper etiquette, despite the countless mistakes that I still make. My father is a very patient and understanding man. His general rule in life is that if he can control it, he will do what he should do to control it, and if he can’t control it, then he should do nothing to control it. 

My very deep and long conversations with my mom have helped me bond with her and get me to open up to her more and more. A very fond memory I have of her is when my mom and I were in quarantine, where despite the whining and countless hours of math lessons, her iron will would never shatter. 

She was the one who taught me everything I needed to know about academics and social connections. Compared to my dad, she didn’t have the same amount of life experiences, but her logic was unparalleled by anyone that I considered family. I learned countless things from her, and she was able to help me in what I needed in life. 

My sister, being older than me, has gone through multiple different social situations.If I had any social problems such as quarrels or misunderstandings with friends, she would always be there to help me. Her knowledge of social situations helped me in many tight situations. 

She would also help me with my problems. There were times when social situations interfered with my personal life, and she helped me solve them. Her way of teaching is similar to my mother’s, but she also has plenty of life experiences. She knows me better than anyone else, so that could be the reason why she’d always use logic when talking to me. Her logic has helped me apply critical thinking to all aspects of life. 

My family helped me grow into who I am today. I’ve spent countless hours with them, making thousands of memories with them, good and bad. My only wish is that this family would go on forever, as I love each one of my family members dearly.