As we all know, Mother’s Day is only a few weeks away and it always makes me somewhat reflective. This time of year, I tend to recall the lessons my mother has instilled in me and am very thankful for our great relationship.
I also have the same appreciation for my mother-in-law (strange, I know). I am constantly inspired by her ability to handle just about everything with ease. She was violently uprooted from her homeland – Vietnam -- just a week before the fall and on a moment’s notice packed all of her belongings into a taxi. In the rearview mirror were her mother and sister and a home she lived in for decades. She also left behind a successful career as a teacher.
With five young children in tow, she and my father-in-law arrived in the United States not knowing a soul. While they had a sponsor, they still needed to learn the language, (which they did) and find jobs and a home in a country which was divided over the U.S. presence ‘back home.’
Eventually, my in-laws would find those jobs and raise six (although in ‘broken English’ my mother-in-law says ‘sick’) college-educated children who would go on to become doctors, surgeons, professors and entrepreneurs. Despite all of that, she still has the energy to help raise her grandchildren (two of which she watches seven days a week) finds time to work in her garden, attend temple and make time for everyone else in her life, including me.
The most beautiful thing about her is that she pulled it off with absolute elegance. In her mind, if you made a big deal out of it, you didn’t do it correctly.
And she is not a woman who takes anything for granted. I always find it humbling that she is so appreciative for so much even though at one point, she had very, very little.
And not to romanticize her situation by saying every day has been a good day, because she has her REALLY bad days too, but overall, I find her experiences very grounding and she always helps keep things in perspective. Sometimes, I’m sure she’s the reason I have even a shred of sanity. So my question on this women’s health Web site where we are supposed to empower one another and as we near Mother’s Day is ….
Which woman has the most powerful influence on your life and why?
I look forward to your answers.