I posted this last year on my IG but it will always ring true each year so it deserves a repost with a place on my blog.
I love @jamiejchung's post about her mom so here's my own for #internationalwomensday!
FOR REAL, the props go to "all the immigrant women and mothers that came to America so that their children could have better lives. You are the dreamers, the risk takers and the unconditional lovers."
My mom is one of the hardest working women I know. She somehow raised 5 kids on church mice income with my dad and somehow we always had food on the table and clean clothes. I don't know how we weren't on the side of the road in a cardboard box, honestly. She was always the last to eat at dinner because she wanted to make sure we all were well fed first, taking the scraps of whatever was left. She protected us as best she could against all the evils of the world while trying to still allow us some freedoms so we could be somewhat normal like our American friends in school. She made all my clothes growing up and saved up every penny for me when I wanted the newest BSB or Spice Girls CD. I know it was hard for her but she persevered to learn English, to drive, get her citizenship and a job to provide my family with healthcare since my dad's job didn't provide it.
And even when I went away to college, she still made entire banquets for me every time I came home so I would have something to eat. She raced home 2 hours from the city when she was with visiting friends and family showing them around, because I was on the floor crying 2 nights before my wedding because my dresses didn't fit and performed gown surgery for me at 2am and into the night. She's selfless and loving and the strongest person I know even if she drives me crazy sometimes.
It is because of her sacrifices that I can be super proud of where I am in life right now and what I've built and accomplished with my own two hands with what little resources I had. Every so often I end up feeling really down about myself but then I remember that I shouldn't be too hard on myself sometimes because if I think about it, I've accomplished almost everything I wanted to do so far. It takes time and perseverance and it's even harder being a girl in a man's world but if you work hard and want something bad enough, you can go out and make it happen. Don't wait for things to come to you. I turned 30 last year and I'm really happy with all that I've done in life so far. I bought my own car, finished school, have a motherfucker DOCTOR title in my name, got a big girl job, got married and paid for it all myself, and bought a house and can take care of my loved ones. And just last month, I finally checked off another accomplishment off my list when I ran my first half marathon! Sometimes I think I'm not doing well because I'm struggling to pay the bills but then I remember I've definitely achieved GIRL BOSS level. Just because you're going through a struggle doesn't mean you should forget all your bad bitch accomplishments. Celebrate the little wins as well as the big ones! If you're a woman, be proud of everything you've worked for and are working towards. Don't let anyone take that shit away from you. Own it.
Happy International Women's Day! ♀️👭👩🏼🔬
