My father, Hank Ridley was my absolute mentor, hero and guide to life.

He was born on January

2, 1954 to Thelma Louise Wilson. My father was also born and raised in Philadelphia, where he followed

his dreams to become an artist. His mother, too was his favorite person; not only did they have a close

mother, son relationship; they shared everything as if they were best friends. And, in my honest opinion,

I believe that is how every family member should act towards each other. My father also grew up

through the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, watching society change drastically. Although Hank was not here to be

interviewed, I knew everything that he would say in response to my questions. He was very politically

driven, and at heart wanted everything to be perfect, where no one lost their jobs during this recession,

politicians weren’t corrupt and people based their decisions off of righteous morals. He grew up fighting

for what he believed, even if that meant breaking up a fight or two. Those habits didn’t change, even

after he graduated college. Hank moved from Phili, to Connecticut (where he went to college) to New

York to pursue a career in graphic design. From there his business launched and was later given an

opportunity to move to Los Angeles. There the magic began, and he began drawing the original Power

Rangers. When I came into the family on September 13, 1994, we celebrated my first birthday as a

Ridley on October 1, 1994. My father moved us to Phoenix, Arizona where he again, happily pursued his

dream for drawing advertisements for companies, like Mendy the dog from John C. Lincoln. My dad

grew up in harder times in a rougher neighborhood than he may have liked, but he tried to provide the

best for his family (my mother, Carole, and I). Unfortunately he suffered from cancer and passed on May

30, 2010. However, his morals changed a lot of people’s attitudes and inspired people to take a risk and

take a chance. In his lifetime, he constantly and consistently wrote letters to the politicians he believe

were corrupt; as a result, he received numerous letters back and in his mind he made them rethink their

strategies. His childhood was very different than mine; he explained how different words meant

different things now and then, and how I have to push and step up front to earn what I want. I believe

every word of what he said, and in my eyes, his memory burns and lives on.