Mother’s

Life is a word defined by mothers. All of us have mountains to get over and decisions to make. Sometimes we fall off our hump; sometimes we make the wrong decisions. Mothers help us learn form our mistakes. My mother helped me realize three major things: to work hard for what I have, use my feelings to help myself, and to always help others and ask nothing in return.
I had always thought I had the meanest mom in the world. All my other friends got paid to do chores, but my mom made a different lesson out of it. I used to ask why she didn’t pay us for working so hard. She said that the things you buy with money aren’t worth half of anything unless you take care of them. Surprisingly, one night, I realized what she was saying. After I had refused to make my bed, she made me write a seemingly endless 200 sentences saying “I will appreciate the things I have.” Following the assignment, I promptly made my bed. Now I see how much my mom truly cares about me. She cares enough to tell me to keep writing even when my fingers hurt. She cares enough to think before she says something profound, and cared enough to repeat it in light of me ignorance.
My mom always enjoyed the look on people’s faces whan they’ve been helped out. Nothing makes her happier than to hear a thank you. Ever since I could remember my Mom has signed the family up for volunteer work on Saturdays. Most times people offer us little gifts or try to help us out in return. My mom never turns down a gift, but she says never to ask for something in return. It’s understandable for someone to give a gift out of good will, but to ask for something in return for a good deed (or as my mom likes to call it, a contribution) is just as wrong as not doing a good deed. One time when I was seven I asked my neighbor, Mrs. Dot for a dollar if I helped her tend to her garden. Being the kind lady that she was, without any hesitation she paid me, but not before talking to my mom on the phone to see if it was okay that I was over. That was the only time I can remember my mom yelling at me. When I got home she told… I mean yelled… that taking money from some old lady was the worst possible thing I had ever done under her roof. I always remember that day. I know my mom wasn’t angry, she cared, and she loves me enough to yell when it hurts her too.
She also taught me not to surrender to my feelings. She showed me that they are a tool into figuring out ‘what’s wrong’. One night stands out like a red kite against an even bluer sky. When I was thirteen I found myself desperately confused about my sexuality. Most nights I would hold back the tears of confusion and replaced it with a dazed look upon my face. In this special night I let slip a tear. My mom instantly noticed and reached her hand towards me to let it rest on my shoulder. She waited for me to look her in the eyes, and then she asked “What’s wrong?” She used the words like a key to Pandora’s Box. I foolishly looked away, and bumped her hand off my shoulder. She reached over again, except this time with both hands grabbed my shoulder’s forcing me to look her in the eyes. With a composed look on her face she said, “Tell me what’s wrong! Don’t thrust away your feelings!” I gave in and told her how I thought I liked men. We embraced in a hug. She told me once she let go I had to except my confusion, and I couldn’t cry anymore. She showed me how important it was not to “feel away” my emotions and thoughts, and accept them before I pity myself.
My Mom helped me understand three major things: to work hard for what I have, use my feelings to help myself, and to always help others and ask nothing in return. My mom has shown me the light to many of humanities flaws; she has also shown me the bright side of the world. She knows just how important it is that we all work together in order to make a difference in the world; Nothing to big, just one son at a time.