Although I didn’t realize it at the time, I possessed almost none of the interpersonal and relational skills I needed to get into college, let alone build a network and begin a professional career. Doing well academically wasn’t enough, however, because I was still at risk of falling through the cracks. Going into my junior year, I had done well academically, thanks to the mindset my mom had instilled in me. Living with my grandparents was an exercise in resolve and independence, especially as my grandma sank into Alzheimer’s. Suddenly, I found myself, along with my 3 other siblings, without any of the parental support or motivation that I once had. Without her, my dad decided it’d be best for himself to work overseas. When I was in third grade, my mom unexpectedly passed. Music lessons, tutoring, and sports filled my early childhood, all in the hopes of a future brighter than my parents. It was later, though, that my upbringing began to stray far from that of a traditional immigrant family. My childhood was comfortable, not because of how much my parents made (they made ends meet, but not much further than that), but because of how much they, especially my mom, prioritized my growth and well-being. The sunlight filtered through our backyard door into the kitchen and reflected off of her wire-frame glasses. The earliest thing I remember is my mom humming to herself as she cooked.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |