Be Yourself.

It started with a nasty comment in Kindergarten that went on until High School by students too immature to understand the definition of respect. "Don't let anyone ever tell you who you are or what you deserve. Only you can define that."

It started with her being the best advocate in my corner.. Defending me, helping me, teaching me. My mother didn't only tell my siblings and I what love was or is, she showed us every day through everything she did. Supporting us throughout unrealistic dreams, letting us figure out what we liked / disliked by signing us up for everything we were interested in, despite quitting after a few days at times, or being terrible at what we tried. She allowed us to express ourselves through how we wanted to dress. It didn't matter if it was December and we wanted to wear cowboy boots causing mothers to make statements, or if we wanted to wear long sleeves it summer. It didn’t matter if we had a phase to perm our hair super curly, or refused to let her cut it for months at time. It didn’t even matter if we matched. She let us figure it out with the one rule of us to look clean.

It started with my mother telling us "The world is filled with opportunities, be positive and find a solution." At one point a tutor told me to accept the fact that I would fail the year but my mother wasn't having it. Emotionally troubled because of this statement my mother remained positive and encouraged me to do my best. "Your best is all anyone can expect of you in this world Jessica." Having that mindset, I always passed my courses, even if it was not always with top grades, even when warning letters came in the mail. My mother always brushed it off, encouraged me to do what I needed to pass and reminded me what that passing grade had to be minimally.

It started with my mother working three jobs to allow us the opportunities to find ourselves. Paying for us to attend private school, encouraging us to socialize with friends or having Mental Health days when necessary. She always stressed importance of us to "Be mindful of how you feel. A break is necessary at times." One these days we would spend time with her individually or all together, getting nails done, going to the movies, sleeping in late. This statement was repeated throughout my college breakdowns during finals week, when stressed regarding all of my obligations and even now when I bring work home afterhours. I learned the meaning of self care through her and preach its importance to this day. Understanding emotional limitations and the stress of the body to focus on mental health and take a day can be lifesaving. It allows the social battery to recharge, thoughts to process and priorities to shift. It allows a sense of understanding what is truly important.

It started with staring at me in hysterics after a negative experience due acting out of my own moral obligation than anyone else'. It ended with her saying "All you can do is be true to yourself. Don't et anyone stop you from doing what you want or what you think is best." That statement allowed me to be confident in myself and understand that I may be the villain in some stories but my actions as long as they are important to me are justified. No one can define me except for myself.

My mother isn't just a good mother, she's a great mother. She isn't just nurturing she's tenacious. She isn't just strong, she is powerful and she isn't just my mom, she is one of my best friends.

My mother has taught me all these things and so much more. However, those listed have helped me become comfortable with who I am, find who I want to be and work towards my best self. If I am half the mother when I have children as my mother has been with me than I will call it a success.