I am who I am today because of my parents. Both of my parents are teachers and have instilled in my brother and me basic skills that have shaped us and the way we live our lives. From an early age I was reading. I loved, and still love, to read. I remember on Sunday mornings at church being a little kid and bored sitting for an hour at Catholic Mass. So, to give me something to do my parents would bring books for me to read so I would be quiet and have something to do. My parents also have a fascination with reading. There would be nights that our house would be quiet because the four of us would sit in a room and read. Reading is something I have learned from my parents and has shaped me into a woman who wishes to grow up, become a teacher, and minor in Reading.
Another factor that contributes to who I am today is something my father always told my brother and I. When we were younger we played baseball and softball at the local fields. I would always see parents carrying their child’s ball-bag and I would ask my dad to carry mine, his reply was always the same, “You played the game, you carry your bag.” That usually frustrated me, but I would carry my bag to the car and not think much of it, until I realized his words have a bigger impact than I thought at the age of seven. I now know that this relates to my school work and other things in my life. Sometimes I would hear how parents would do their child’s schoolwork so they wouldn’t have so much to do, considering both of my parents were teachers, you would think I had it made, but I did not. They would offer to help with my work, but since it was my actual work I had to be the one to do it, though they’d offer assistance if I asked. I had the homework, I had to do it. It has shaped me because I know that whatever I have, I have to try and work through it and do it, I cannot dump it on someone else.
I have also learned manners from my parents. I know that parents always try and instill manners in their children and I think my parents did a good job with my brother and I. I learned to ‘smile and nod my head’ even if it was something I did not particularly agree to, but had to do anyway. I love my grandmother, but sometimes she is old-fashioned and I am not always enthused to do what she tells me to do, but my mom told me that I need to just do what she says and please her because, after all, she is my elder and my beloved grandmother.
Patience is a virtue is what I have always heard and it is true. With both of my parents being teachers they have learned how to be patient. I am lucky that they have acquired that virtue because I know there are days that they came home from school frustrated and then had to come home to two kids and a dog and be patient with us again. They separated their job from their home life and were constantly understanding, helpful, and patient with us. I have learned patience from them and I do my best to be patient with them, though they are my parents so it is sometimes difficult to do, but I try like they do.
Whenever people would move in next door to my family my mom would go over there, greet them, and welcome them to the neighborhood. Sometimes, I would have to also meet them if they had a child my age. Not that I complaining that I had to do that because if I had not my old neighbor would not have become one of my best friends, but sometimes it was not something I wanted to do. But, I learned that sometimes being helpful and just being friendly are what people should do. I like to help people, and I usually do all I can to help others and try to please them. These are skills that my parents taught me. I figure when everyone is happy, life seems easier. Lending a helping hand is a way to make people happy and feel more comfortable. Since my parents are teachers, I have seen them be helpful to their students and their co-workers, their actions have taught me how to be helpful. Whenever I can, I try to help people with any task, whether it be studying for a test or simply grabbing an extra jacket while heading to a football game with some friends.
Last, but not least, they have taught me what it is like to love and to be loved. I have a small family, my mother, father, brother and dog (yes my ten-pound dog counts). Though we are small, we love each other very much and would do anything for one another if they asked. When I am home my parents constantly tell me they love me and I reciprocate the feelings. One thing my mother and grandmother have always said to me, that I will never forget and reminds me of how loved I am, they say before one of us goes to sleep: “God bless you, God spare you, goodnight, pleasant dreams.” We love each other very much and it has taught us to love others.
My parents shaped my life in many more ways than I wrote, or can even possibly think of and I am very grateful for them. Parents usually make it to the top of their children’s heroes list and I am fortunate enough to say that they are number one on my list. They have inspired me to be the person I want to be and all of their lessons have guided me through life. The ideals I was taught have more than shaped me into the person I am today, they have also showed me what I want to become in the future, an inspirational teacher, and a helpful, loving parent. I thank them for everything they have done and I am proud to say that they have shaped me into the person you see in front of you today.
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