Essay In My Mother

MyMomMomsarethemostspecialandpurebeingsintheworld.Theyarethatbeingwhogives everythingforlove,forherhome,forherchildrenandgrandchildren.Themotherissuchablessed womanthatsheenduressomanythingsforthesakeofherchildren,whilemanytimesweare ungratefultothem,assumingthatourmotherswillalwaysbethereforus.

Whenmomsstilltherewithyou,itisfortunatetohaveher,becausethekindofloveshegivesisthe purestyoucaneverfind.Mymom,forexample,isveryspecialtome,sinceshehastaughtmehow toliveandhowtovaluethingsinlife.Shehasalwaysbeenpresentatalltimesandhasnotspenta singledayinwhichshehasforgottentogivemeherblessingsheistheonewhoshowmore content...

Shealwaysencouragesmetoworkhard,stayfocusandnevergiveup.Shehasbeenagreatexample ofhowtobeanexcellentmotherandwifeWhatIadmiremostaboutheristhatwhenIwasababy sheusedtoworkeverydayandIamsurprisedthatshealwayshadtimeformeandherwork,Imean thatworkingandtakingcareofababyisverydifficult.Everydayshegetsuptowork,tobesurethat IhaveeverythingIneed.She'samotherandwifefocusedongivingherfamilythebestofher.Ifmy familywereinneed,shewoulddowhateverittakestogetwhatisneeded.

Anotherreasonwhymymotherisveryspecialisbecauseshealwaysmakesspaceandtakestimeto gotomyvolleyballgames.Shesometimeshastodrivethreeorfourhoursandstayinahoteljustto bepresentinmygames.Shegetsreallyinvolvedinthegame,shecheersalot,andsheismy numberonecheerleader.Mymomsometimestakesgoodiestotreatmyteammates.Theyallrespect andloveherbecausehowshetreatseveryoneontheteam.Shegetsexcitedandhasalotoffunin mygamesI'mthankfulforwhatmymomhasdoneformeEverydayshe'slookingfordifferent waystoimprovemylifestyle.Thesacrificesshehastomaketohelpmemoveforwardissomething Iwillneverbeabletopayherback.There'snothingbetterthansharewithhermychallengesand achievementsIalwaysaskGodtoblessmeallowingmetohave

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MymotheristhemostdiligentworkerIknowandIhighlyrespectherforthat.Mymom,sister,and ImovedacrosstheglobetofindbetteropportunitiesforjobsandEducation.Sheworkedtwojobsas asinglemother,andwasstillabletotakecareofandsupportmysisterandmeinanythingwe aspiredtodo.Beingamotheritselfisdifficultenoughbecauseitisaneverydayjobwithnobrakes orvacationSheisthepersonwhoinspiresmeandthepersonwhomotivatesmetodomybestat everythingIdo.Toher,mysisterandI'shappinesswasworthmoretoherthanherownandforthat Itrulybelievesheisthebestpersonintheworld.Evenwhenthingsgethardforher,shedoesnot taketimeoutforherselfDuringthedeathofmygrandfather,shehadnotimetogrieveoverhim becauseshetoldusthatshehasworktokeepmysisterandIfedandhappy.ThatwaswhenI realizedthatifsheisgoingthroughallthegruellingeffortjusttokeepmeandmysisterhappy,then mygoalinlifewouldjusttogivebacktoherbymakingherproudofme.Withherasmy motivationIjoinedthingsthatwouldmakeherproud.Freshmenyear,Iauditionedforthehigh schooltravelingband,whichwasatrulychallengingbandtogetintoIwasoneofonlysix freshmentogetin.Joiningthatbandallowedmetoexperiencemyfirsttimetravelingwiththe schoolacrossthecountrytoperformatCarnegieHallinNewYork,oneofthemostprestigioushalls toperformintheworld.I

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AftermymotherandIhaveanargumentsheusuallysmilesatmeandsays,it'sbecausewe'reso muchalikethatweargue.Sheremindsmethatourlackofcommunicatingoftenstirsmoretrouble thanwhywewerearguing.Iusedtogetupsetthatmymomdidn'tsettimeasideforourfamilyto spendtimetogetherormakeuseattogetheratthedinnertable.IwasupsetbecauseIwascomparing ourfamilytomyfriends'familiesIvaluedthosethingsandassumedmymomdidn't,butIwas wrong.Mymomhadsomuchonhermindeverydayitwasbreakingherontheinside.Notonlyhad Iwantedmymomtobelikemyfriend'smoms,nowIhadwantedmymomtobedifferentbecause shewasdepressedBonhoeffermentionsthatwedesireimagesofothersthatwewant,butaren'tthe trueimagetheybearasChrist's(pg37–38).AtfirstIwaspuzzled.Howisagoodimageofmine,not Christ'simageforher?IlearnedthatHisimageisneitherrightnorwrong,butsimplyuniquely divine.Mymomcouldhavedonethosethings,butherwholelifewouldhavehadtobedifferent, andIwouldneverwanttochangewhomymomis.

Thefewtimeswedidgettospendtimetogetherasafamily,itwouldn'tfeellikeitIknewallthe relationshipsbetweenmyfamilymembers.Iwastheonewhotheytoldeverythingtobutaskmenot totellanyone.ThiswasalotofweightonmyshouldersbecauseIbegancaringforeveryoneelse's relationships;especiallymymom'sbecausemybrotherandsisterwouldargue

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MyMotherIsMyGreatestInfluenceinMyLife

I'velearnedthroughtheeyesofmymotherthatlifeisn'teasy.Mymotherhascomealongwayafter losinghermotherataveryyoungageandgrowingupwithherfatherandgrandmotherandfive siblings,onebeingatwinMymom'sdadhadtomakesacrificeswhileraisingmymomandher siblings;itwasn'teasygrowingupwithouthermother,mymomputherselfthroughcollegewiththe helpofherdad.Mymomhasasuccessfulcareerandismarriedandisraisingahappyfamily. InitiallyIthoughtofacelebrityasapersonwiththemostinfluenceinmylife,butasIthoughtabout it,Irealizedmymotherhashadthemostinfluenceinmylife,alwayssmiling,laughingandhaving fun.Whenmyshowmorecontent

Myfriendslovemymombecausesheisalwayslaughinganddoingwhatevershecantohelpothers. Afewweeksagoafriendofminewashavingsomeproblemsathomeandsheneededarideto workMymompickedmyfriendupeverydayfromschool,thendroppedheroffatworkandthen wentbackandtookherhome.Shetoldmyfriendthatshewasthereforherandshewantedherto ...Getmorecontent...

Ittookmeafewyearstorealizewhatanextraordinaryinfluencemymotherhasbeenonmylife. She'sthekindofpersonwhoalwayshastimeforherkids,alwaysinterestedinlearningsomething new,wouldsacrificeherselfforherfamily,andiseasilythestrongestwomaninmyeyesGrowing up,IknowIhaven'tbeenthebestsonintheworldbutifyouweretoaskher,shewouldsay otherwise.Lookingback,mymomisthemostpositiveandimportantinfluenceonmylife.My motheractuallyisanordinarywomanbutinhertinyappearanceshinesanextraordinaryfortitude, perseverance,analtruisticsoulandisverykindhearted.Thekindofmotherwhobroughtmeup withherwholekindlyheart,thekindofpersistentwomanwith...showmorecontent...

Growingupinapoorfamily,mymothermustworkveryhardtoearnherlivingsinceanearlyage. Duetoshortageofmaterialcondition,sheherselfhastrainedanextremelystrongwillandabilityto sedatelydealwitheachdifficultyandstanduptomoveonfromherfailuresIvividlyrememberthe calamitypoureddownonmyfamilywhenmymother'businesswentbankrupt.Wehadtosellour houseandleaveforanothertowntobeginfrom"zero".Thiscriticaltimemadeeverymemberinmy familyreallyupsetButitwasmymother,thepersistentandbravewomen,stronglystoodupand startedoveragainafterthisgreatadversity.Eachofherfailures,hergrief,andthewayshe overcamedifficultiestomoveonhasmadeanindelibleimpressioninmymind,leavingmewith preciouslessonsaboutthevaluesofstrongwillsandindefatigableendeavorstofirmlyconfrontwith setbacksandbravelyconquerthem.TherewastimewhenIfeltthattherewasnomorehopeinlife, thatIfeltverywearyandwasabouttogiveupeverythingAftertheconstantmovingfromoneplace toanotherandmygradesslippingdownthedrainIwasunabletodealwithanysmallproblemsand feltembarrassedtomeetmyrelativesandfriends.However,thatwasalsothetimethatIacquired frommymotherhowtolearnfromhermistakesanddevelopedmyownsetoftoolstotakemore lessonsfromthemtorealizethepropermeaningsofdetermination.

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MyMotherAndMyChildhood

Tothisday,Icanstillrememberstandingattheendofmydrivewaywatchingmymotherarrive homefromthebusstop.Thisdaywasdifferent;shewasnotcominghomeemptyhanded.Infact, shehadstoppedatayardsaleonthewayhomeandboughtaprizeforme,adollnamedSuzy.This memory,fromtheageoftwo,embracesthestoryofmymotherandmyentirechildhood.In Indianapolis,IndianainSeptember1980,IwasborntoasinglemotherThroughoutherlife,she workedforthephonecompanyindowntownIndianapolis.Eventhoughsheraisedusthrough hardshipsanddespair,shealwaystookthetimetolovemybrotherandmeoutwardly.Untilsecond grade,IhavenorecollectionofmyfathervisitingmorethanthreeoccasionsAtlast,infourthgrade webegantospendweekendsathishouseandwithhisfamily.Sadly,whenIwaselevenwelearned thatmyfatherhadcancer.OneweekbeforeChristmas,afteraschoolmusicprogram,Ireadhis obituaryinthepaperandtoldmymotherhehadpassedaway.Fromthatmoment,ourfamilyforever changed,specificallymyrelationshipwithmymother.Duringchildhood,Itookenjoymentin reading,school,andtheartsEscapingintobooksandmyschoolworkwouldbemyescapefromreal life.Sinceschoolwasthepriorityinourhousehold,therewaslittletimeforextracurricular activities.Similarly,throughmyhighschoolyears,determinedtomakemymotherproud,Ipushed myselftosucceed.Aboveallelse,collegewasthegoal

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MyInspirationMymomessentiallyisthemostinspirationalpersontomeinabasicallybigway. WhenIspecificallyfeeldownshecomfortsme,orsotheyforallintentsandpurposesthough.She listenstoallofmyproblemsandreassuresmewhenmyinsecuritiesessentiallycomeoutina generallymajorway.She'salsoverydetermined,whenshemostlyputshermindtosomething,she exceedsbasicallypasthergoals,prettycontrarytopopularbelief.Shekindofisnotjustmymom sheforthemostpartisalsomyreallythebestfriendinaforallintentsandpurposesmajorwayMy momforallintentsandpurposesisanprettymucholderversionofmyself,she'sdefinitelyshort withkindofbrownhairinaparticularlymajorway.Sheliterallyhasintimidatingkindofgreen eyes,whichshowmorecontent

Shemostlyhassobasicallyanysortofotherqualities,butthesedefinitelyaretheonesthatactually standouttomeinasubtlewayShereallyhasforallintentsandpurposesmanydifferent mannerisms.Whenshe'shappysheessentiallybouncesoffthewallslikeakidonHalloweennight, generallyfurthershowinghowshedoesn'tjudgepeoplebasedontheirrace,weight,sexuality,etc, fairlyfurthershowinghowwhensheparticularlywasyoungershebasicallyhadkindofbighair becauseshekindoflivedinthe80'sinasubtleway.Whenshe'ssadshedoesn'tshowitbecauseshe canverytimid,sosheworelegwarmersandfairlybrightneoncolorsinaprettymajorwayWhen she'sangryshewillessentiallyletyouknow,demonstratingthatsheactuallyputsherfootdownand generallyholdshergroundwhensheparticularlyhasto,prettyfurthershowinghowshereallywasa verystylishteenager,whichmostlyisquitesignificantWhenshe'sproud,shetellsmeandgenerally makesgenerallysureIbasicallyknowsheliterallylovesmeinaparticularlybig

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TheonepersonthatIcouldneverlivewithout,thereasonIamstandingtillthisday,ismymother. MymotheriswhoIthankandadmiremostofall.Withoutherdedicationandhardwork,Iwouldbe inthesquattersofthePhilippines,stuckinaplacewhereitisaverydifficultplacetomakeagood enoughlivingorevenmakeenoughmoneytokeepthebreadonthetableforyourfamily.Hermain goalanddreamwastopasstheNCLEXexam,itwouldpermithertogotoAmericaThatwould allowhertomakeabetterlivingandlifeforherselfandtogetajob,inordertosendbackmoney neededforherfamily.

Mymomwastheeldestofninesiblings.Itwasextremelydifficultforthemtohaveenoughmoney tobuyfood,showmorecontent

Sheknewthatagoodeducationwouldbetheonlywaytobecomesuccessfulinthefuture.Mymom madeapromisetoherself,tohavefulldedicationinherschoolworkinordertomovetoAmerica, toearnmoneyforherfamilyShewantedtogetcontrolofherlifeandmakesuretohaveagreat education.

Sheenjoyedlearningandstudyinginhighschool.Shewouldlockherselfinherroom,andsatina deskthatwasinthecorneroftheroom.Shewouldstudynonstop,eveneatingdinnerasshereadher booksShewassoproudofherselfwhenshedidgreatonallhertestsandfinalsHerfriendswould invitehertogooutandeatatthemall,butshewouldrememberthepromiseshemadetoherself,to putallschoolworkbeforeeverything,becauseitwasmoreimportant.Onceshegraduatedhigh schoolwiththehighestaverageofherclass,sheworkedevenharderinhercollegeclassesShe enrolledtogetaMeticalTechnologydegreebecausesheknewtheemployerswerealwaysneededin themedicalfield.

Mymomstudieddayandnighttopassherboardexam.Theboardexamwaswhatyouneededto passinordertograduatecollegeShepassedthatexamswiftlyandworkedtowardhernextexam, thatallowedhertotraveltoAmericaandwouldguidehertothesuccessfulfutureshetruly deserved.Thatexamwascalled,"TheStateBoardExam".Itwasanextremelyhardexamthatmany FilipinostookinordertomovetoAmericaManyeventook

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Name:ZoeyTanWeiLin(32)Class:2EnduranceDate:7March2011ADayintheLifeofMy MotherAdayinthelifeofmymotherwhenshewasmyagewasnoteasy.Soadayinherteenager lifestartslikethis.Earlyinthemorning,aboutfivethirtya.m.,Iwakeupandfoundawarmblanket ontopofme.'Fatherhadwakedupandhadcoveredme,again,inhiswarmblanket.'Ithought. Anyway,Ihadtogetupandhelpfatherinhishumblelittlemoveablecartthatsellrojak,amixtures oftropicalfruits,suchaspineappleandsoon.SoIgotup,getdressandwasready.Igotoutofmy roomwhichIsharedwithfourothersiblings,mysecondsister,myyoungersister,mysecond brotherandmyyoungestbrotherMyshowmorecontent

Wealsoplaywithfirecrackers.ButnowadaysIdidnotplaysomuch,instead,Igotopeople'spark complextolookforeithermyauntormysecondsister.Mysecondsisterwasworkingthereasa tailorwhichIthinkImightsoonjoinherasIcouldchoosetobeeitheratailororahairdresserbutI thinkiwillchoosetobeatailorinsteadofahairdresser.BecauseIthinkitmightsuitmemore.My aunthasashopthere,atthepeople'sparkcomplex,sellingbeads,lacesandotherdecorative materialsusedinsewing.SoeverynightIwilldropbytheretohelpoutandmaybemyauntwill giveonetofivecentsformetobuysweetsbutIalwayssaveitupinabiscuittin.Then,Iwillgo homewithmysister.Andonthewayhomewewillcrossonebridgethatisverydarkandwewill alwaysrunacrossitsometimestherenoisesonitwewillscreamsayingthereisaghost.Andwhen wefinallyreachhome,IwillbesotiredandwillgoofftobedSothosewerethefondmemoriesmy motherhadwhenshewasayoungadultbutherlifewasnotthateasyafterall.However,shewas strongenoughandhadbravedthroughalldifficulties.WhenIfirstaskedheraboutherlifeherfirst wasnotgood,verybadbutheroptimistkepthergoingonMymotherwillalwaysbemytop numberone

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MyMother

Thegreatestinfluenceinmylifehasbeenfrommymother.Shehasnurtured,raised,andguidedme throughallofmyupsanddowns.Shehasbeenarockformyfamily,andalwaysshinesher sunshineintoourlives.MymomissomeoneIhavealwayslookeduptoandwhoIstrivetolivemy lifelike.Shehasalwaysperseveredthroughherchallengesandhadendurancewhilestrivingto achievehergoalsIhavebeeninspiredbymymom'slegacyofdeterminationandresilience,and hopetocreateasimilarlegacyforothersandthosewhowillcomeafterme. Mymotherhasalwaysbeenasweetandlovinggirl.Herparentsmarriedyoung,andlovedherwith everyounceofthemselvesHowever,theysoonseparatedwhenshewasonlyoneyearold,leaving hertolivewithhermother.Shecreatedmanybeautifulmemorieswithhermom,whosmotheredher inloveandaffection.Eventhoughherworldwascontent,hermotherstruggledfinanciallyand emotionally.Theymovedfrequently,andmymomattendedninedifferentschoolsbeforethird grade.Eventually,mygrandmotherbecameunabletotakecareofmymomanymore,soshemadea dealformymomtolivewithherdadforoneyearHowever,whenthetimecame,mygrandfather refusedtoletmymomgo,becauseheknewthatshewouldlivealifeonconstantchangeand instability.Heknewthatshewouldbehappierandsaferlivingwithhim.Indeed,whenmymom startedthethirdgrade,shewasfarbehind,andbytheendoftheschoolyearwasoneof

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MymotherChristyRehnhasmanygreatqualitiesthatmakeupwhosheistoday.First,togivea physicaldescription;sheisafemaleandis44yearsoldabout5'5.Shehasshortdarkbrownhair thatgoesdowntohershoulders.Hereyesareasbrownasabearandareveryfastmoving.One greatqualityisthatmymomisveryfunny.Sheenjoysagoodlaughwhenshe'sfeelinghappyornot feelingwellatallSheenjoysspendingtimewithherfamilyEspecially,goingtothemoviesaswell assittingoutonthebeachonahotsunnyday.Mymomisn'tjustanotheraverageperson,sheshares hermanyuniquequalitiesthatallowotherstoseewhoshereallyisontheinside.Walkinginfrom school,IsawChristyrunningaroundandthinkingshowmorecontent

Heropiniontowardsothersisthatsomearebetterthanothers.Ithinkthatshehastheabilityto inspireotherssincesheisateacherandingeneral.Shemakesothersfeelliketheyarewelcomein thisworldandthattheycanaccomplishanythingtheyworkhardonorputtheirmindto.Taking responsibilityissomethingmymomreallyfollowsthroughonshemakesabigtocommitmentto herjob,whoshemarried,andespeciallytoherkidsSheisdeterminedtomakewhatwewantto becomeareality.Shethinksthatnothingisimpossible,youjusthavetoworkforyourgoalsand neverbackdownfromwhatyouaredoing.HersenseofhumorissomethingthatIlovesheis hilariousandtellsthebeststories.Iknowthathavingboundariesissomethinguskidsdon'tlikebut it'sagoodthingontheparentside.Whilemymomlovesme,shewillbeupsetwithmeifImakea seriousmistakeandtherewillbeconsequencesThisshowsthatshehasgoodparentingandisloyal towhatshesaysanddoes.Mymomisawonderfullistener,ifItellherthatIhaveabigtestcoming uporthatIgotintotroubleatschoolshewillremindmeeachdaytostudyforthetestcomingup. ShewillthensitdownwithmetodiscusswhathadhappenedthatdayatschoolIt'slikemymom hasadailyagendainhermind.Shealwaysknowswhat'sgoingonthedaybeinglikeifIhavea soccergameorifmysistersgoingoutwithfriendetc,she

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IcouldsayIhavemanymentorsinmylife,butmymostimportantmentorismymom.Amentorto meissomeonewhocriticallyguidesyouthroughyourlifedecisionsandprovokesendlesslearning fromtheirlifeexperiencesandwisdom.Theonlypersonwhomeetsmyideaofamentorismy mom.Ihaveknownhersincebirthandhavealwaysfeltlovedandcaredbyher.Shegivesmeevery toolIcouldpossiblyneedtosucceedthroughprimaryschoolandontopostsecondaryschoolingShe hasalwaysgivenmewordsofencouragement,beenhonestwhenIaminthewrong,andhasalways pushedmetoreachmypotential.IwenttomymomonaSunday,whichisfamilydayinourhouse. Wewentouttolunchwithmybrothersincehewasvisitingfromcollege,andIgottheopportunity toaskmymomaboutherviewsonMitch'sandmytopics.Inmyconversationwithmymomwe talkedaboutthreetopics;Ameaningfullife,Family,andEducation.Mitch'sfirsttopicwaswhatit meanstohaveameaningfullife.Mymombelievesthatwhatitmeanstohaveameaningfullife,is thatitshouldnotbedefinedbymoneyorotherpeople'sopinions.Butratheritshouldbedefinedby yourhappinessandcompassionforthethingsyoudoinyoureverydaylifeWhendiscussing Mitch'ssecondtopic,family,mymombelievesthatthemostimportantthingisthatfamilyisthere foryoutobehonest,andtobecriticalofyourdecisionsinlife.Webothagreedtheyshouldbe supportiveofyourpassionsandbeliefs,

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Mom

AlGhaliaAlShehab

0013448

Engl112–11

Parentsareoneofthemostbeautifulthingsthatcouldhappentoanyone.Theyarealwaysthereby yoursidenomatterwhat;theyalwayswantthebestfortheirchildren.Theycanbestrictand protective,itsbecausetheylovetheirkidsandtheydon'twantthemtogethurtMyparentsare specialtomebecausewithallthehardtimethattheyhadtohavemeandmysiblingsintheirlife theystillfoughtforusanddidn'tgiveup,evenafter17yearsoftrying.Butforme?Thegreatestof allismymom.SheistheonethatIlookuptoo.Sheisthegreatestofall.Simple,funny,strict, protective,butyetsheisthebest.

KnowingherfornineteenyearsofmylifeSincethefirstdaythatImether,it'salwaysmyshow morecontent...

Sheprefersthatonlygodknowswhat'sgoingon,notevenherclosestsistersknow.Ilearnedfrom herthatkeepingyoursadnessandweaknesstoyourself,becausenoonelastsforlongnotevenyour childhoodbuddy.Everyonewillfindawaytoleaveyousomehow,someday,ifnottodayitcouldbe tomorrowifnottomorrowinathousandyearsIt'sbesttokeepyourweaknesstoyourselfand yourselfonly,becausehumanswouldattackyouusingyourweaknessandtheycouldgettoyou easily.Shealsoalwaystoldmenooneisyourfriendexceptyourmom.Shesays,"Yourmomis yourbestfriend"

Yourmomisyourbestfriend,sister,andyourwholelife.Shehelpsyoubesuccessfulandalways wantswhat'sbestforyouandyourfuture.Motherschoosetogothroughtoughtimesandrocky roadsjusttomakesurethatheroffsprigsareinagoodshapeandareinexcellenthealth.Mothers wouldkilltoseetheirkidsinthebestcondition.Ifitmeansthattheyshouldgiveuponthem,they would!Ifyourmotherisaroundbeappreciatedforwhatyouhaveandthankgodthatsheis

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Amotherissomeonewhocantaketheplaceofallothersbutnoonecantaketheplaceofher.There aremanydifferentdefinitionsyoucouldusetodescribeyourmother.Mymother,PamKrull,fits everyoneofthose.TodayIdecidedtopickthethreethatIthoughtwasmostimportanttome.I admireandaspiretobelikemymotherbecauseofhowsupportive,howselfless,andhowlovingshe isMymomhasgonethroughalottogetwheresheistodayIwillbeginbytellingyoualittlebit aboutmymom'sbackground.MymomgrewupoutsideofGeorgewithherparents,HarrisandBev Kaster,andherthreesiblings,Erik,Brad,andKristy.SheattendedGeorgeHighSchoolwhenthey werestillBlueJaysMymomwasinvolvedinalotofdifferentactivitiesShewasintheplay,large groupandindividualspeech,acheerleader,playedthedrumsinband,wasinstudentcouncil, secretaryofherclass,RECclub,band,andjazzband.Inherfreetimeshehungoutwithfriendsand hersister.Shehadafewjobsgrowingupalso.Shebabysatalot,workedatthelibrary,andthe dentistoffice.Mymotheralsohelpedteachbibleschool,catechism,andattendedyouthgroupat HopeReformedChurchMymothermetmydad,DougKrullwhenshewasajuniorinhighschool Theydatedforawhileandendedgettingmarried.Theythenhadthreebeautifuldaughters,Allyssa, Megan,andRebecca.MymomwenttoNorthwesternCollegeinOrangeCity,Iowa,together education

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She'sasmallwoman,herhairisshortandthestrandsarefewbutthick.AsIputmyhandsthrough hersoftshinyhairIcanalmostfeelherintense,painfulpastthatshecarriesonhershouldersmelt away.Shesmellslikehomeandfood,bringingbackdelightfulmemoriesofwhenIwouldstandon achairnexttoheratthestove,asshetaughtmethesecretofhowtomakeourfamiliesenchilada sauceHerskinissoft,fromthecountlessnightsshehasspentmakingtamalesjusttomakeends meet.

Sheisfragilelooking,almostasifafallofaleafwouldbeenoughtobringherplummetingdown.I wrapmyarmstenderlyaroundhertryingtoembraceherfullywhilebeingasgentleaspossibleYet sheisstrongofmind,spirit,andsoul,she...showmorecontent...

Igotomymother'sroom,it'semptyexceptforherdresserandthebedshesitson.Ilookatherand raisemyshirt,"Whatarethese?"Iasked,herfaceiscoldandsevere,showingnoemotion.She lookedatme,firstatmystomachandthenatmyface"They'recalledfatmarks"shesayscoldlyas sheturnedaway,notgivingmeasecondthought Irunupstairstomyroom,itwasintheattic.Itrytofindsolace,buttherewasnone.Icouldnot escapethewordsthatmymotherhadjustsaid,theyrepeatedinmyheadoverandoveragain.Warm tearsrandownmyface,Isearchtheroomforsomething,anythingtoholdonto,tosilencemycries, buttherewasnothing.IwrappedmyarmsaroundmyselfandcrieduntilIfellasleepfrom exhaustion

Ilookinthemirrortoseethatmynoseandlipsarepinkandtearsarerunningdownmycheeks, uncontrollablyanothermemoryjumpsintomyhead.I'mlookingforsomethinginthecornerofmy mom'sroomthatistheunspokendesignatedareaforclothesIfindmyfavoritewhitelaceshirt,I hadfounditinasecond–handstore.ItwasthefirstshirtthatIhadfoundandboughtmyselfand enjoyedwearing.Itmademefeelpretty,whichwasadifficulttask."IthoughtIlostyou."Isaidout loud,"What?"mymothersaid.Iturnedaroundtoseemymomwasstrugglingtogetdownthestairs toherroom,thepainofthemovementevidentonherface.Iwalkedovertoherandofferedmyarm andshetookit

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Nomatterhowhardlifegetsformeandhowchaoticthingscanbecometherehasalwaysbeenone personthatIcanturnto,mymom.She'sbeenawealthofadvicetocallonwhenI'mcluelessanda shouldertocryonwhenI'mdown.Hercompassionforothersinspiresmetobeabetterpersonas doestheguidanceshehasgivenmeovertheyears.She'snotafraidtogivemearealitycheckandto tellmethethingsIdon'twanttoheareventhoughIneedtoShekeepsmegroundedandteachesme toappreciatethesmallerthingsinlife.Eventhoughmydadwasstillinvolvedinmylifeaftermy parentssplitupitwasmymotherwhoIprimarilylivedwithanditwasherwhohadthegreatest influenceonmylifegrowingupAnyonewhohasknownmyshowmorecontent

Heavenhelpyouifyoudoanythingtoendangerherfamily.Mymomalsodoesnotgosoftonher kids;shecanbeaformidabledisciplinarianwhenshewantstoandwillnothesitatetosetusstraight whenwebroketherules.Shewon'tletanybodywalkoverherandisreallyquicktoangerifyoutry. Mymotherisstrong–willedandstubborn;whenshesetshermindtosomethingalmostnothingwill stopherandwhatanimpossiblefeatitistochangehermindonsomethingSheisveryimpatient; whenshewantssomethingdoneshewantsitdoneatthisverymoment,nolater.Sheisidealisticand sheenjoysthesimplerthingsthatlifehastooffer.Shelovesnatureandwouldlovenothingmore thantobelivinginacabininthemountainswhilelisteningtocountrymusic.Shedoesnotpay muchattentiontonewshappeningoutsideherlocalareaandpreferstofocusonwhat'shappeningin herimmediateareaFrommymotherIhavelearnedhowtobethepersonthatIamtodayThrough herIhavelearnedtheimportanceoffamilyandthatitisparamounttospendtimewiththemwhileI stillhaveit.EvennowItrytospendtimewithmyfamilywhenIhavetheopportunityto.FormherI havelearnedcompassionforthosearoundmeandforanimalsEven

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TherelationshipIhavewithmymotheriscomplicated.Duringthefirstfiveyearsofmylife,my grandparentsweretheoneswhoraisedmybrotherandI.Ivividlyrememberthedaywhenmy motherlefttocometotheUnitedStates.Iconstantlycriedandchasedafterher,butshedidnotlook backatmenorexplainedthesituation.Mostlikely,shemusthavethoughtthatIwastooyoungto understandwhatwasgoingonInstead,withthatmemory,sheleftmescarredSincethen,Ibeganto developaresentmenttowardsher.Amonthbeforemysixthbirthday,myfathercametothe PhilippinestobringmybrotherandItotheUnitedStates.Ifeltneutralaboutthesituation.And sinceIhavenotseenmymotherinsolong,mygrudgedieddownItfeltasthoughIwasgoingto meetastranger.

Inmyfamily,Iamthemiddlechild.MyparentstreatmysiblingsandIdifferently,whichismore noticeablefrommymom.However,bothofmyparentsseemtofavormysiblingsoverme.Mydad prefersmyyoungersister,whilemymomfavorsmyolderbrother.Growingup,itisveryevident thatfavoritismoccurswithinthishouseholdIamoftenconsideredastheproblematicchildI believethatthereasonforsoisbecausemyparentsdidnotgivemeasmuchattentioncomparedto mysiblings,sotheydonotunderstandhowIfeel.IalsogrewupinafamilywheredisclosinghowI feelisdifficulttodowithoutcomingacrossasdisrespectfultowardsmyparents.Thisconflictof favoritismand

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In"MyMother'sEnglish"byAmyTan,Tangivesanarrativeonhowhermothercopedandlived whilelearningEnglishasaChineseAmerican.Thethreemainpointsshesharedare:ourfamily scenariosimpactourlanguageandourlife,lowliteracycanleadtofewpositivechancesforus,and thatlanguagebondsaculturetogether.Tanrealized,nearly20yearsintohermarriage,thatthe familyspeechshegrewupwithimpactedhermostNotjustourlanguagedowecarryonfromour earlylife,ourmorals,tendencies,andbeliefsarealldriventhroughandmadefirmduringouryoung familytimes.ThroughMrs.Tan,wecanalsoseethatlowliteracyandfewlanguageskillscan reducepeople'sopinionofus,andtherefore,limitthepositiveopportunities

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MyMotherandLiteracy

ThefirstteacherIeverhadwasmymother(Stephanie).FromtyingmyshoestomyABC'sshe taughtmesomanythingsthroughoutmylife.Enhancinghowliteracyfitintomylifewasonemajor thingmymomdidforme.SimilartothereadingSupermanandMebyAlexie;wealwayshadbooks lyingaroundthehouseWewouldtaketripstothelibrarytolookfornewbooksandwewould attendthesummerreadingprogram.Mymomwouldhavemereadanythingandeverything;menus, recipes,streetsigns,andbooks.Readingbecameaneverydaythingforme.Mymotherhashada monumentalimpactonmyloveforliteracyShehasshapedandmoldedthewayIviewLiteracy andhowitfitintomylife.TherewerethreemajormomentsinmychildhoodthatIrememberwhere thebooksshehadmereadwereextremelyinfluentialonmystancetowardsliteracy.

SometimebeforeIstartedpreschoolmymotherboughtabookthathadacolossalimpactonliteracy inmylife.Iremembermymothercomingintomyroomatbedtimetoreadmeanewandexciting bookThebookhadapinkbackgroundwithalargecoconuttreeonit,alsoithadmulti–colorletters allaroundthetreeIwillneverforgetthisline;"ChickaChickaBoomBoomwilltherebeenoughat thetopofthecoconuttree.".IdidthesameasAlexiedidwithhissupermanbook,howhewould readitagainandagain;atbedtimeeverynightforatleasttwomonthsmymomwouldcomeintomy roomandread"ChickaChickaBoomBoom"

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Didyoueverknowamomentthatsomehowsetacoursefortherestofyourfuture?Thatmoment formeiswhenImetmymother.It'sfunnyhowIdon'treallyrememberthatmoment,butitwill impactmefortherestofmylife.IleratoScottwasborntoMarthaBokonSeptember30,1999in Pretoria,SouthAfrica.Iweighedinatabout2.6pounds.Niceandhealthyright?Ilivedwith Marthaforashorttimeaftermybirth,butduetoherTuberculosisandHIVAIDSshewasunableto takecareofme.AtthetimeIwasaround18monthsIwasbroughttoaPlaceofSafety,butwas soonhospitalizedwhenIstartedshowingsignsofTB.AlongwithTBIwasbattlingherpesandear infectionsaswellassevereeczemaMyeczemawassobadthatitleftmyskinrawandbleeding Everybodycravesthatyoucanthinkofwascrackedandbleeding.Myneck,behindmyears,my armpits.Younameit.Nownormallyat18monthsbabiesstarttocrawlaroundorevenbegin talking.DuetoseveremalnourishmentIwasdoingnoneofthesethings.Ievenhadplateauedinmy growthatthispoint.

IoftenaskmymotherhowshecametofindmeorhowsheevenendedupinSouthAfrica EverytimeshetellsmeshesaysitwaspurelyaGodthing.

DanaScottwasworkingasamissionaryataplacecalledBethesdaOutreachMinistrieswhenIwas placedinhercare.Bethesdaisanorganizationthatprovidesorphanswithasafeandlovingfamily. WhenIcameintomymother'shomeIwasanabsolute

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Whatcanonesayabouttheirmother?Onemaytalkaboutherpositiveandnegativecharacteristics. TherearesomanygreattraitsIloveandadmireaboutmymom,thatitwouldbedifficultandunfair towriteaboutjustone.Beingstrong,generousandoptimisticareallsomegreatpersonalitytraits, whichmymotherpossesses.

EversinceIcanremember,mymotherhasbeenastrongindividual.SheraisedmybrotherandI financially,emotionally,physicallyandspirituallybyherself.Mymomgaveherall,bythatImean, sheworkedtwojobstomakesureherchildrenateproperlyandthattheyhadtheessentialamenities togrowhappilyandsuccessfully.Anotherwayshesupporteduswaswithloveandcare.My momshowmorecontent

Shewouldencouragemebysimplysaying,"Complainingisauselesswaytosolveproblems,but becomingactiveontheissueisagreatwaytoconquerit.MymotherMymotherhasalwayshad strongfaithandviewsinherreligionWhenIwasyounger,everydayandnight,shewouldbring prayertimetomeandmybrother'sattention.MymominstilledAsachild,mymotherdisplayedthe seriousnessofspirituality.Inwhichsheexpressedherfaithinusatanearlyage,thatprayertime wasnotthetimetomakejokesnortocomplainabouthavingtopartakeinit. Onelessonshetaughtusthemost,washowseriousnessaboutourspiritualbeliefscouldprovideus withasubstantial,stableandstructurallifestyle

Mymother'sheartisatitspurestwhengiving.Iwitnessedmymotherchipinandpayforpeople's rent,carnotes,andbuyingthemgroceriesAlthoughmymother'sintentionsweregood, occasionally,hergenerosityhasbeentakenadvantageof.Onetimeaclosefriendofthefamily, cametomymotherindesperateneed.Heaskedhertoloanhimalargeamountofmoney,withthe agreementthathewouldpaybackineithermonthlyorweeklyinstallments.Mymomneverdidsee themoneythatwasduetoher.Despitetheincidentshestillgivesandencouragesotherstogive, whetherisitadonation,orvolunteeringyourtimeinyourcommunityMy

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