The town in which I grew up was a conformist’s paradise. Streets lined with seemingly endless track homes, of which were filled with parents and children alike, enjoying their middle class existence in my extremely mundane neighborhood. My grade school years were filled with resentment towards these children, with their seemingly perfect lives. It was not until high school that I realized the whole “perfect family” act was all but a facade and with my mother’s teachings I was able to properly identify these poor beings. Soon after this realization dawned on me, was when I truly appreciated all that my mother has been able to provide for me, against all odds, all on her own.

Telling people you are being raised by a single mother alone, is not often something that goes over lightly by some. An “I’m so sorry” or “where’s your dad?” are the two most common responses to having to give away that particular information. “Sorry for what?” and “who cares?” are often my responses to those painfully awkward conversations. From my experience, most individuals often think children raised by single parents are destitute, bound to be college dropouts, and are not “meant” to become anything of value. It gives them this impression that they are worth more than you, since they have an extra parent. They pity you, for fate has dealt you with the worst hand possible, of which you will never be able to play. Little do these ignorant individuals know, how awesome my mom is.

My mother is a woman of wonders, being the sole supporter of my brother and I for the majority of our childhoods. Solely on her own, she has been able to work fourteen hour days, prepare meals, nurture two children, and provide just enough time for herself to rest only to get up and do it all again the next day. Although I have had the lack of a parent, I have never felt a lack of love from my mother. I am more wise than those who have been raised in a two parent house hold, and I am infinitely grateful that my mother has been able to provide motherly and fatherly love to both my brother and I alike.

Growing up in a single parent household has placed much more responsibility on me than of those raised by two parents, but I would not have it any other way. Because of these responsibilities shifted on me from a young age, I am allowed to observe and appreciate my world around me. I have grown wise due to these responsibilities and my exposure to certain realities. My mother has been able to teach me all I know, all the ways the world works, and all the ways it doesn’t. My mother has given me the freedom to discover the universe and draw up my own conclusions around it. It is because of my mother that I can cherish my own mind and inherently love my being. I have watched my mother struggle, only to prevail. Time after time, even with all odds against her, she would never lose hope, and she would always possess courage. I could not be more proud. Thanks mom, I owe you one.