My Mother is my Role Model

Everyone has a person they look up to or idolize, they’re known as a role model. My role model is my Mom, she is a role model to me because of her kind heart and hustler mindset. She is such a selfless person, always making sure people around her are taken care of before she is.

Everyone has a chance to seek new opportunities, but what if that means leaving your native home and traveling to a foreign country. My family left their country 26 years ago to live the American Dream. America has given so many people a second chance to reach endless possibilities. The magic of it all is America. It’s known for “the land of the free and home of the brave” moto where everyone is free to do whatever they wish and is brave enough to get through the impossible. I am proud to say that I’m a daughter of an immigrant and even more proud to be the first generation of my family to be born in the United States. In the US, the possibilities are endless. If people come from all over the world to better themselves and to be given a chance to have better opportunities, would they still want to do it.

My mom came to America from Vietnam 26 years ago. She never misses a moment to remind me of my roots. Both of my parents were born and raised in Vietnam. During the time they were there, the government was under communist rule. Times were rough for the both of them. My mom would tell me how she had three shirts, one pair of pants, and a pair of shoes for the whole year. She also had to share a pen with her sister, meaning they would trade off after every class. After the Vietnam War, my mom and her family flew to America to restart their life. The war had ruined their country and they could no longer call it their home.

Coming to America, my mom didn’t know English. She took an English night class while working at a strawberry farm in the morning, and also going to college.For many years, the Dream has been the most positive thing that has happened to our family. Meaning, the dream is worth the hard work and effort on trying to attain it.Within the next few years of going to school and working she graduated from WSU with her masters, and has been working 2 jobs for as long as I can remember. Working as a part time college professor and full time for the government. My mom worked so hard to get what she wanted and she deserves it. She left her country and came to the country filled with dreams. To her this was the best decision she has ever made

After struggling for years in Vietnam than in America she still never gave up. While having a lot on her plate I’ve never heard her complain. She is constantly helping people that she loves. She has always had a hustler mindset and always been a hard worker. My mom and I may not be close or get along all the time but I still look up to her.

I’ve always known she is a role model to me but the specific moment where I realized I wanted to be like her was when we were talking in the kitchen. It was a Sunday, my dad has just dropped me back off at my Mom’s house and they were talking about all the things my mom has to pay for within the month.

My dad said “Your payment for Megan’s Orthodontist starts next month, you need to pay for insurance, and taxes.”

“That’s not even all of it,I have to do so much.” My mom said.

They kept talking for a couple more minutes, then my dad left. My mom and I kept talking about random things. Then I asked her about her story of living in America. I do not remember the specific details of the story but she was telling me about how she when she lived in Vietnam her family was very poor.

“Me and my sister had to share one pen for school, we would meet each other on the way back and forth from school and trade off.”

“Your grandma worked at the farmer’s market selling meat and your grandpa was in jail, we were struggling to live.”

“Your grandparent, uncle, aunt, and I came to America 26 years ago, with very little money, and not knowing any english.” My mom said.

“You’ve came so far within the past 26 years, I don't know how you did it and never gave up.” I said

She kept telling me more about our family and how hard she worked. Talking to her made me opened my eyes on how many things she has on her plate. She works full time while taking care of her family and making sure everyone is taken care of.

As we continued the conversation I realized how hard my mom works for everything she has.

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