Elena Grimes
Professor Yoshikawa
English 101
10/12/2015
" Proud to Be Me"

When something bad happens you either have three choices. You can either let it define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you. Tammy Bernier shows us how she found the courage and strength to finally confront her father after being molested by her family members for years. I believe she wrote this passage not only to share her abuse, but to encourage others who may have experienced the same situation that there is a time to stand up for yourself and realize how strong you are.
Most girls grow up to be Daddy's little girl. Most fathers are the most powerful influences in their child's life and even considered to be their daughters first love. I cannot imagine having to constantly trying to gain the love and attention from my father. He has always and still to this day treats me nothing less that a princess. For Bernier, it was the complete opposite. She had to constantly prove herself worthy of her fathers love and time, yet he always treated her as if she was nothing constantly believing she was a liar. Tammy was her fathers child, but she wasn't the boy child that he wanted. Her fathers almost seems like he was punishing her for something that she had no control over.
"I let out not one whimper, not one cry as I told my mother I loved her and hung up the phone. I was now dead inside" (Bernier 276) I could literally almost feel the hurt of her statement as she hung up the phone with her mother. She was certain this time that her parents were going to come save her from her grandparents in Maine. At this point I believe Tammy knew it was time to put a stop to this pain and abuse that she had been experiencing for years. She realized it was only ruining her and that she was the only one she could rely on to save her insanity. Her father did not know her at all and never tried