The Most Influential Person in My Life

Sweat dripped down her face as her body trembled. She had a mixture of anxiety, nervousness, and desperation going on inside of her. The pain was unbearable. But she knew she had no other choice. For one whole week, she would endure labor pains in order to carry her child all the way to 8 months of gestation.

Her mother argued with the nurses and insisted they end the process. She fought back angrily and felt her throat tighten as she loudly said, “if you can’t stand to see me like this then leave!” The pain seemed eternal. Yet, her desire to become a mother (once again) was stronger than all of those obstacles combined.

Luckily for both of us, on April 5th, 1989, my mother, Ana F. Suero, finally gave birth to premature-me. After only 8 months of gestation, I was blessed to have well-developed lungs. This was the reason why she had endured so much pain to begin with.

At the time, the Dominican Republic experienced blackouts for extensive periods of time. Premature babies were dying frequently because incubators gave up. Hence, my mother didn’t want to take any risks. She had already suffered the loss of one child; she wasn’t about to go through it again. Not if she could help it, anyways.

My mother has this magnificent ability to stumble, fall, and get back up again…when most of us, probably wouldn’t. I’ve watched her struggle with finances, fears, and regret. Yet, she’s able to keep in tact what makes her- her. She’s strong in so many ways, yet delicate at the same time. She’s caring and transparent, real and charismatic.

I sometimes watch her get ready for work. She gets dressed, sprays on some of the delicious Donna Karen Cashmere she loves so much, and makes her way out the door. She doesn’t return until the nighttime and by then, chances are, her arthritis is acting up. My mother, amongst other things, is also my hairdresser.

My mom is the hidden reason behind my undeniable desire for success. I want to work for a well-known company and get paid a decent salary. But I don’t want to stop there. I want to write books, get published, and even do some freelance writing! Heck! I’m going to start a blog soon! I want to give my mother what she’s been working so hard for all her life- a house. I want to open a beauty salon downtown that will ultimately represent what she is all about.

For years, I’ve watched her do everything possible to support my sisters and I. My mother isn’t just my mother. She is my friend, my mentor, and my father. She has carried on the responsibility of two without ever expecting anything in exchange. This I believe…she isn’t the only reason why I aspire to become successful but she’s definitely one of the driving forces.