A Tribute to My Mom on Mother’s Day

At a young age, I had already decided I wanted to grow up and be just like my mom – maybe it was because she could pull off front bangs or because she was terrifying when she was mad, but she shaped the expectations I held for myself and set the standards for my life because of them. Even though it sounds sweet to say that I idolized my mom as a child, the truth is that I continue to deem her as someone who embodies the traits that push me to better – and exemplifies a strength that encourages me to become greater.

Even though I know that everyone has a different relationship with their mom, I’ll always be thankful for the close relationship I’ve maintained with mine. Whether it was how she attended every dance recital in high school or the way she called me every day in college, my mom has transitioned from simply being a great parent to truly being the best person I know.

 

 

To sum her up, my mom is logical with a level of loyalty that will 110% turn to a grudge if you betray it. When she isn’t reading books and gaining knowledge on the entire history of the royal family (because Princess Diana, duh), she’s sharing random facts on every murder mystery/crime that has happened in the last century and reminding me to check my bank account (it’s fine). Oh – and don’t ask her to wear bright colors or large jewelry when her secret to a long life is to wear sunscreen and not go outside after 8 pm.

Most importantly, she’s a fighter. After coming to America as a teenager, she learned english and helped her family rise above the poverty line – then opened two successful restaurants to prove why her hard work mattered. In regards to my childhood, it was a combination of hitting my older brother with my milk bottle (I’M SORRY) and standing at the window to wait for my mom to come home from work. Because that’s what she did – she ran two businesses and raised a family while filling my childhood memories with nothing but happiness and Cabbage Patch Kids.

 

No one can love you the way your mom does.

 

Throughout my middle school and high school years, she worked in the Houston Medical Center and still remained informed with everything I did – without actually making me feel like she was invading my privacy. While some of this was probably because she was a cool mom (and not a regular mom), most of it can be explained by the fact that her approach to guiding me through my confusing teenage years was her actually listening to me rather than punishing me for my questionable decisions.

With her constant support and continuous wisdom, I was lucky enough to have the freedom to grow as an individual – while still having the option to seek her advice throughout the entire process. Now that I’m in my mid-20s, the combination of every important lesson and message my mom has ever taught me seems to resonate at the most random moments and replay during the most needed.

 

 

In general, my mom has always been my version of a heroine – yet I’ve only started to grasp how powerful she is as a human. Although these past couple of years have held some of my proudest milestones, the struggles and doubts I felt were always met with my mom’s pep talks – and overcome by my mentality to not give up because of them. After all, my mom never quit and her philosophy to believe in your abilities is one that I can’t forget.

From refusing to share drinks with others to feeling paranoid about not wearing sunscreen, the habits I’ve developed due to my mom’s influence have become more apparent with my increasing age. Although I miss her because of our current distance, I also think I’m literally growing into her – and can only hope to one day become half the person she is.

 

If you don’t do it for yourself, do it for your mom.

 

While it’s normal to say that every event in my life has happened because of my own determination to accomplish them, it’s also necessary to acknowledge that the habits and traits that helped me reach these goals are because my mom preached them – and proved their importance by also practicing them.

In the end, I’m proud of who I am and it’s because my mom invested her entire life to prepare me to do exactly that – to share my kindness, to appreciate my friends, to forgive my mistakes, to recognize my potential, and to fight for my chance. My mom raised me to be the best form of myself – she’s the only person who knows me better than I do and now it’s my turn to show her why every sacrifice she made for my success was worth it.

So mom, if you’re reading this, this is all for you.

 

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