A major part of who I am is a direct result of my mother’s actions and characteristics, and I can never find the right words to thank her. In trying to find the words to convey the essence of who I am, I went around the community and asked different people to state one word that would describe me. Much of the community described me as independent, inspiring, and intelligent; others described me as “an exact replica of your mother.” When a person tells me I am just like my mother, it truly makes me proud of whom I am and the person I have become.
My personal strength comes from my mother. Being a single mother, she has really kept our family together. Most of my peers consider influential people to perhaps mean Mozart, Ghandi, and many other more famous characters. The person that has influenced my life is my mother. My mother has taught me very valuable lessons, several of which include staying strong during difficult situations and having sincerity towards others.
When I was fourteen, my father left our family. This was a tragedy for my younger sister and me. When he left, my mother was very gentle and seemed optimistic towards change. I did not recognize the many traits and qualities my mother possessed until I was older. When I look back and think about those agonizing days, it baffles me how a single, hardworking nurse has raised my sister and me. It shows how strong one can be during difficult times.
This episode of my mother’s strength has come to my mind lately because of a difficulty in my life. Recently, a very good friend left for a year to travel in South America. This was, and still is, a struggle I am constantly enduring. This dilemma has pushed my emotional and physical strengths. When I am troubled by my friend’s absence, I look back and think of how my mother acted for my sister and me. After watching my mother deal with our situation after my father left, I now know how to deal with this “hurtle” in my life. I look into myself and draw from the strength that my mother has taught me.
I have observed my mother’s struggles, and I have been able to draw on her personal qualities to become the person I am. I have used these qualities to deal with difficult situations in my life or to project compassion towards others. My mother is my role model, and I will never truly be able to express this to her in sufficient words. I hope to use the qualities she has instilled in me to build my future as a productive and compassionate member of society. I believe that not only can a worldly person inspire one to be great as well as have strong character, but some inspirations can be the ones right beside you.