I was writing a paper for my COM 399 class last night, and it reminded me of the though time I have being the "rock" in my family.  Back when my dad first started having his health problems, I was the one who was always strong for my mom.  I never let her see me cry.  I was always there as her shoulder to cry on.  And in that first time of his problems, I don't think I cried once.   I mean, we went through about 5 years of my dad's BAD health.  I still remember hearing my mom crying while she thought I was sleeping one night.  So I guess from that point on I knew I had to be strong for her.  A few years later, after the MAJOR evilness of my dad's problems, the first time I remembered crying was after they called my dad's doctor after he had some problems at home.  I had to call work, and after I got off the phone with them, is when I first broke down.  

Now about a year ago, early one morning, my dad was getting out of the tub (just before my mom was getting up for work)  While he was walking back from the bathroom to his bedroom, he passed out.  I didn't know it right away, but when my mom started yelling for me, I got up.  I had to call 9-1-1.  I was strong until I had to call my mom's boss.  While on the phone with her, I was crying.  My parents were still at the house, but the EMTs were there looking over my father, then getting him on the gurny.  I think after I was talking with her I must have sucked it up a little bit, because I was able to call my Aunt Brenda and Aunt Suzie. 

But now I've been thinking.  I'm always the strong one.  But who's going to be there for me, when I need a sholder to cry on?  Who will be my rock?