The document describes how the author's father died when she was 12, leaving her family without much financial support or life insurance. This caused the family to struggle financially, sometimes without electricity or water. The author had to grow up quickly to help support the family. She is now in college studying computer science thanks to a scholarship. The author concludes that while life insurance cannot bring a parent back, it can make the aftermath of their death easier for those left behind by providing financial support.

1. My father was my role model. Whatever he set
his mind to, he was able to accomplish. That’s
how he built his two companies, with the goal of
providing rural areas with internet.
His death at 44 changed everything. Even
though I was just 12 at the time, I knew nothing
would ever be the same.
My father left behind little financial support for
my family and no life insurance. We were on our
own to struggle through the difficult times. Our
family’s strength crumbled, and our finances
grew in disarray. There were times we had no
electricity or water because we were so far
behind with our bills.
When I hit rock bottom, I knew it was only me
who could turn things around. That’s why I’m
working hard to pursue a degree in computer
science and engineering.
What I’d like to say to you is that the death
of a parent changes everything.
Because my father didn’t have life
insurance, I didn’t get the luxury
of being a child anymore. I had to
grow up quickly—too quickly.
Life insurance can’t bring
a parent back, but it can make
the road afterwards easier
for those left behind.
Miranda Rivera received a Life Lessons Scholarship from
Life Happens, which assists students who are struggling
financially to get an education due to a parent dying with
little or no life insurance.
This piece has been reproduced with the permission of Life Happens, a nonprofit
organization dedicated to helping consumers make smart insurance decisions
to safeguard their families’ financial futures. Life Happens does not endorse any
insurance company, product or advisor. © Life Happens 2016. All rights reserved.
“Life insurance can’t
bring a parent back,
but it can make the
road afterwards easier
for those left behind.
“
It Changes Everything
by Miranda Rivera
Life Lessons®
in their own words
To start your own planning,
go to www.lifehappens.org/LI