In 2009, the U.S. Census gathered that there were over thirty-three million second-generation immigrants living in America. America is a melting pot, and in this melting pot, it isn’t uncommon for these children, myself included, to lose sight of what our lives could be–and the struggles that our parents faced to ensure that we have more opportunities than they had. As I write this essay, I’m stressing over the things any other American high school sophomore faces– grades, social drama and statuses, and my follower count on Twitter and Instagram. These “problems,” if even that, are minute to what others our age face around the world. Young adults in Sudan are starving, and young adults in Syria live in the middle of a war zone. As far away …show more content…
They raised two kids: my 19-year-old brother, who is currently a freshman at the University of Georgia, and myself. Thanks to their hard work, I’m able to worry about the things I do. Never have I worried about not having food on my plate, about being denied my education, or being forced to leave everything I know and abandon my dreams. It’s easy to forget what my parents have done for me, for the opportunities and doors they have opened for me. There’s no way to understand your life–the privileges you hold–without understanding the past. You must be thankful for all the things your loved ones have done for you, and I’m sure that I am. I can’t imagine my life if I were in my parents’ shoes, if I faced the struggles and hardships they did, and I know I wouldn’t have the courage to be as decisive as they were and are. Their perseverance and determination make me content with my life now, knowing that it could be much worse. Their experiences motivate me to capitalize on what they gave me–to become something. I want to be sure that my parents know I’m thankful and know that I will work hard to become what they didn’t have the opportunity to. 11th Grade Columbus High School Anjali Patel 5th
I have over 18 aunts and uncles who provide constant encouragement every time we converse. Their motivation constantly changes as I progress to a more mature adult. Today, I am receiving constant encouragement and motivation because I will be graduating college soon. As a first generation college student, this motivates to become look beyond the horizon to seek new opportunities to make them proud. Although aunts and uncles’ involvement does not equal the involvement of a grandparent per se, their loving attitudes coincides to help me better myself and this mindset all started with the initial involvement they had in my life as a child.
Randy made it very clear from an adult perspective that you will always need your parents in your life. Although your parents will not be there throughout your whole life, you will always have a part of them inside of you and they will always be proud of your decisions and sacrifices you make for your family. In this story, I became more aware that your parents and only your parents will always be in your life to tell you the right things from the wrong things. This story was my favorite story because it was very inspirational from the examples that were used to make up the story. Randy Pausch was elaborating on the topic that you will never know how long you get to spend time with your parents throughout your life, so you have to make the most out of it.
The values and teaching passed on to me from my parents will stay the guiding me for who I am today, and for the rest of my live. Mom and Dad were my
“No pain no gain”, echoes in my mind, as the hot sweltering humid air engulfs my room, baking me in the unbearable heat early one morning, during the summer after my freshman year of college. The thought instantly brings me back to memories of my childhood, where whenever I complained, my dad would retort “no pain no gain”. Back then, I hated hearing it over and over again. To me it was just something my parents said to stop us from complaining, and I never stopped to think why that one phrase was so important to them.
One of the hardest days of my life was when I first moved to America. I studied in Canada for one year, but it was totally a different situation that there were teachers who specifically teaches ESL classes, and a host family who was really close friend to my mom. There were people cared about me when i was in Vancouver. But when I moved to America, there was no one that I knew. I had to start everything fresh all by myself.
My window burst open with a loud thud; a gust of chilly air flew into the dark room, sending stray papers in every direction. A thick beam of moonlight cast eerie shadows across the four walls of my bedroom. Sitting up in my bed, I could see a human-shaped shadow on the carpeted floor. I lifted my eyes to the open window and, although it was dark, I could clearly see the silhouette of a person crouching down to climb through the window. Reaching over, I flipped the switch on the blue lamp standing next to my bed.
On one brusque day, I was running from the cops knowing that I shouldn’t have held up 7/11 while on probation. Now i’m really gonna get locked up now. I don’t care i’ll miss my sophomore year or if the judge gives me grace again. I’ll end up with my dad in West Cali, and i’ll end up working at his retarded library. My mom and he were divorced when I was three.
My family consist of five people: my mother, father, sister, brother, and me. My dad works as a landscaper. My mom works at Ross dress for less, she works in taking out the merchandise from the boxes and putting them on the hangers, she has been working there for almost 10 years now. My parents immigrated here from Mexico to America a long time ago, before I was born, making them immigrants. My sister is 13 years old and my brother is 15.
Legacy: First off, I’d like to thank my parents before anyone else. Between taking me to all my gymnastics competitions, practices, soccer games, basketball games, horseback riding lessons, I couldn’t put anyone before them. I wouldn’t be the athlete, student, or the person I am today if I didn’t have them in my life. My mom, Debra as most know, has had a great influence on my life. My mom and I are very close and I’m so glad I could have such an amazing relationship with my mom.
They encouraged me to be the person I could be. If it were not for them and my parents I would not be the person I am today because they shaped me to the person I am today. If my parents weren’t on the fire department, I don’t think I would be where I am today. The fire department has taught many life lessons like you have to work for what you want and life isn’t always easy but You find a way to get through
My family wasn’t exactly dirt poor, but we weren’t the richest either. I never remembered being hungry, but I could still feel hunger pangs. The starving. The want. For something else, something more.
Life has blessed me with many teachers and guiding influences who contributed significantly to the belief and passion that greatly constitute who I am today. Fortunately for me, my parents are the biggest influence in my life. They inculcated in me the mindset to face challenges and do things the right way every time. This upbringing is deeply embedded and a huge part of who I am today; The reason I believe in hard work and integrity in all aspects of my life goals. Born to African parents who migrated to America, I witnessed my parents work very hard to make ends meet, and to provide a better living for my family.
This is something they are still coming to terms with two years later - and some still don’t validate my side. Since then to now, I’ve had to be the person in my family that finds the solutions to problems. I’ve had to keep my grades up while balancing keeping the minimal food that we had in the house, along with my belongings safe from her - because once it’s gone you’ll never find it again. Also, an important challenge that makes me feel strong is that I have always tried to keep a positive outlook on my life and stay happy, which in itself is a battle. These experiences surrounding the hardship in my life are crucial to the person I am today because in the process of trying and failing, I’ve developed a thick skin, and I now know how far I can push myself to reach my goals successfully.
And when we reach that age and understanding when we may be in a position to give them the equivalent of the sympathy and help that they had given to us, we find that sympathy and help being claimed by our own wives and children. Never, therefore, do we really repay in kind what our parents give us. But what we cannot give in material things and comfort let us at least give in terms of honor and reverence. Let us on this day rekindle the flame of love we have for them, and let that flame shine ever brighter with a new and lasting
It was at this time that I noticed family is all that I needed and truthfully speaking all I had. All the times I would angrily talk back to my parents and blame them for the life we live they would consistently respond with “you’ll thank us both one day”. I didn 't notice it at the time but they were right. My eyes were finally opened shortly after and I was able to see the purpose in my parents actions.