These five people have had the most
impact on my life when I was growing up.
Mom
I used to have a love hate relationship
with my mother when I was growing up. She had or still has a very
strict parenting style. She focuses more on what needs to be done on
day to day basis than on making connections with her kids. This
probably because she doesn't know how to due to her childhood
background ( read my post below on “ The story of a child that has
touched my heart”. I never understood her then even though I knew
her childhood background story. I used to always feel disconnected
and very angry towards her whenever she ask me not to do something or
to do something. Having said that, I have now realized that her
strict parenting actually kept all of us ( including my dad and
siblings) on track and keep the family going on daily basis. She made
sure we were fed on time with healthy food, we were never showered
with material things and we were taught to appreciate one another as
a family and enjoy what we could afford. She taught me to always
respect everyone and give more to the needy ones. Like her, I am trying my best to run my family life as efficient as she did. Providing, nurturing, caring and guiding my children just like she did.
Dad
My Dad is my hero. He is has been and
has always been my pillar of support. I spend a lot of quality times
with him whenever he came to pick me up from school. We used to just
talk about everything during the car ride to pick up my mom from her
work. Our thoughts are always in the same wavelength which makes it
so easy for me to open up to him and know that he will always be
there for me.
He was also the same with my younger
siblings. There was one day when I was 14 years old, me and my whole
family were packing to go on our family outing which was basically
like a religious pilgrimage the next day. The night before my best
friend's dad died. My friend was shattered when she told me the news
on the phone. I just knew that I had to be next to her to comfort
her. My mother was a little reluctant to let me go since it was late
night. But my dad didn't even think twice. He told my mother that he
taking me to see my best friend. I was so glad that he could
understand my feelings. He taught me that I only need to have to be
willing to find a way to be with my loved ones when they need me the most and till today I try to be that to everyone who really needs me.
Grandmother
My grandmother has always been there
for me on daily basis as she was the one babysitting us while my
parents were at work. She lived with us so I had the privilege
growing up with my grandmother by my side. She is the most determined
and physical strong woman that I have known in my life. She taught me
that if I get hurt, cry a little bit but then make sure I get up and
move on with life. She taught me how to cook our traditional food.
She loved all her grandchildren with all her heart. She will feed me
when she is eating her dinner. I treasure these moment so much and
though I miss her a lot, I am also very grateful for her presence
early in my life. I guess I have inherited not all but some of her characteristics such as knowing when to get up if I fall down once in a while in life.
Sister
My sister is 10 years younger to me.
When my mother told me that she is pregnant with my sister, I was
over the moon. I already had a younger brother and I was longing for
a younger sister. I still remember the day my mother brought her home
from the hospital. I took every opportunity I got to take care of her
and spend time with her. She was and still is my baby sister. There
were times when I used to take her for a walk and people used to ask
if I was her mother. Being with her just by spending time taking care
of her taught me how I enjoy being with young children and also I
have realized that I actually make an effort to understand what they
are feeling or trying to say. My sister grew up to be a very
sensitive person and none of my family members can actually talk to
her when she is down as she tends to keep it all to herself. One day,
her favorite pet ( a hamster) died. I noticed she was in her room the
whole time and taught something was wrong. Though my parents noticed
the same, they couldn't get her to tell what it was when the
approached her. But I managed to make her talk and she finally cried
to her hearts content. Later I helped her to do a burial ceremony for
her darling pet and say a proper 'good-bye'. She was so much better
after that. I was so glad that I intervened. I can surely say that my passion for early childhood started from then on. Unknowingly, She has had helped me realize that.
Dance Teacher
I started learning Indian classical
dance from the age of 8. My dance teacher was a gentle and well
cultured woman. I always admired how she interacted with her
students. She treated all of us like her daughters. She have always
been very happy and proud of my achievements in classical dance.
Knowing that helped to encourage me to achieve more. Learning
classical dance from my teacher taught me how to be disciplined about
my fitness and graceful in my movement. It also taught me to be very
close and aware of my own culture. Probably explains my love for my
culture. I believe nobody should forget where they come from and
their culture. It defines who they are. It is ones' identity. I am
glad that I know what my identity is and I will pass this on to my children for sure.
