Having a single mother was no easy feat; however, having a determined and hard-working woman, whom I call mom, as a role model made us even more resilient. I grew up with one older sister (she's got me by eleven months), and a younger brother who is eleven years younger. I was only eleven when my mother endured her divorce. During this time, she was amid accomplishing higher education in the graphic design industry. One thing I remember is the incredibly long days she had to face working a full-time job and taking night classes to achieve her goal. Although some days were spent with little quality time, she did everything she could to make sure that there was a roof over our head, clothes on our backs, and food on the table. As a child, I didn't fully understand the struggles my mother was going through, but I could sense her determination to provide us with a better life. I watched her juggle her responsibilities with grace, always putting our needs before her own. She never complained about the challenges she faced, instead, she encouraged us to focus on our studies and dreams. She believed that education and hard work were the keys to unlocking a brighter future. My sister and I witnessed firsthand the sacrifices our mother made to pursue her dreams while raising us. She often stayed up late into the night, studying, and then woke up early to prepare us for school before heading off to work. She never let her dreams slip away; her dedication to her studies and career inspired us to be disciplined and determined in our pursuits. Through her actions, our mother instilled in us the values of perseverance and self-reliance. She consistently demonstrated that with determination and hard work, one could overcome any obstacle. Her tenacity made us believe that anything was possible, regardless of our circumstances. We learned to face challenges head-on and to find strength in the face of adversity. Over the years, as my mother progressed in her studies, we could see her hard work finally paying off. She went from working odd jobs to landing a dream job at a respected company. Her success was not just about financial stability; it was about showing us that even when life gets tough, we should never stop pursuing our passions. As I reached my teenage years, I started to comprehend the challenges she faced as a single mother. Balancing work, education, and family was no easy task, and it took a toll on her physically and emotionally. However, she never let her struggles define her or her relationship with us. She always wore a smile, even during the toughest times, which taught us the importance of living in the moment. Today, my mother can proudly say that she’s achieved two separate degrees in fields that she is passionate about. I too am now working on accomplishing my dreams and aspirations all motivated by the example our mother set for us. We continue to support each other, just as she supported us, and we are eternally grateful for the values she instilled in us. In conclusion, growing up with a single mother was challenging, but my mom's determination and resilience made all the difference. Her sacrifices, dedication, and hard work were a constant source of inspiration for my siblings and me. She taught us that with perseverance, we could overcome any obstacle and achieve our dreams. Her unwavering love and support have shaped us into the individuals we are today, forever grateful for the extraordinary role model we call "mom."

When I lost my father it was the hardest thing I've ever had to go through. To this day it is still hard but I live on hoping that he is in a better place. I lost my father due to an "accidental suicide", or so I'm told. I was never able to see any police reports and never got a clear story as to what happened. I believe partly since we lived in separate states that some of the communication was dropped. At any rate, I always knew my father struggled with mental health and was always on rocky terms with the family. Some of the biggest lessons I learned from him being gone is to not take life and your family for granted. You never know when you will lose them, have your last conversation with them, or last hug with them. His death taught me that everyone is always struggling with something whether we know it or not. One of my biggest regrets is not being able to speak to my dad one last time and try to fix our relationship. I so badly just want to let him know that I still loved him despite all his flaws and despite what others might say of him. At the end of the day he's still my father and that's what unconditional love is, right? Anyhow, this taught me how to be more aware of not only my feelings but the feelings of others. This loss taught me how to really listen and keep an open line of communication with my loved ones, make the effort, and keep my relationships in good standing no matter what. I remember reading letters from my dad and at the end of letter he would sign, "Love Always, Your Dad", but just that little reminder to "Love Always" is what consistently brings me back peace and reminds me to never hold any ill will towards anyone. At the end of the day we are all going through something and if I can help make someone else's life be a little bit easier just by being kind then I will do so. If I can be the one to be a shoulder to lean on or help getting someone the help they need then I want to be able to make someone feel welcome to do so.