If cards could have personalities, boy would this one be a blessing. The little rectangular figure printed with two-dimensional flowers and finished with a hint of glitter, constitutes my beloved card signed by my Mom. Ideally with every card I receive it is generally the same concept - thank you, have fun, get well soon! Except for Moms. She is the epitome in my life and the only person I hope to someday become.

On the drive to school, my mother's voice, gentle as a feather, preaches the value of kindness. Except she isn't all talk. I see kindness in her eyes, the way she engages in a conversation. Each morning, there is kindness in her voice when she says, "Goooooood Morning Sweetie!" or there is the presence of her kindness every night as she clandestinely approaches my bedside to lay a gentle kiss on my cheek. At the end of the day my mother and her dark brown eyes gaze into mine; her lips form the words, "I love you."

Once a week during her lunch break my mother hosts a free exercise class for the senior citizens at her work place. On the night prior to her little session, she dances around the house humming to the beat of the new routine she is excited to teach. And when my mother comes home the night of, she tells me all about how great it makes her feel to put a smile on someone else's face. As I listen to her babble on and on about the happy elders, her face brightens and I look at my kindhearted mother with a smile. My mother only wished she could do this everyday.

I closed my eyes, penny in one hand, jacket in the other; I contemplated on this one wish. When I finally concluded upon my wish, I opened my eyes and tossed the penny as high as one little 10-year old girl could possibly throw. Even from a young age family was always my first priority. I wished for my family - Me, Mommy, Daddy, and Reyn to live a long happy life. Except we couldn't all live forever. To make the most of the time we have together now, I try to show my affection through small gestures. As of last month, September, it was my parents 25th Anniversary. I stayed up to 1 o'clock in the morning every night for a week to work on their gift. Because I cared about them, all my effort was worth it. The little explosion box I made was spray painted silver for 25 years and comprised of memorable photos with a touching lifetime story. My parents were more than pleased, knowing that I worked profusely on the project.

I remember browsing through some old scrapbooks in the closet of memory lane. I came across an image of a beautiful Queen in a white gown, dancing with the King on the day of Homecoming 1981. She wore a diamond dazzled tiara and white elbow length gloves to pair with the long frosty white dress. My mother was the answer to "Mirror, Mirror, on the wall who is the fairest of them all?" My mother was a beautiful Queen inside and out. She did not run for the Queen position, but she was nominated by peers of her graduating class. Friends, family, and old class mates of hers tell me she is a person who is always happy and kind. Aware of this or not, I think her admirable personality was the perfect fit for the throne.

  Because my mother is far too modest, she doesn't feel comfortable when her friends friends and I recall the Homecoming event. My mother does that sort of thing were she says,"ohhhh stop it." She claims the celebration occurred so long ago that it doesn't matter anymore. Yet through her glory and success she remains humble and self-effacing.

I have earned the full right to claim I won two cooking competitions, is an honors student, qualified for States twice, published my own book, and has experience as a team captain. As a 17-year old I'm proud to say that I have a moderate amount of accomplishments in my high school career, except I'm not about to brag about it to the entire school. From my mother I learned the importance of staying modest. I don't see the satisfaction in self exploitation, besides no one likes a big head. My achievement is for me; I don't need attention to feel gratified. Being humble is important to me because it shows I appreciate the great things in life and never take anything for granted; I know there is always something knew to learn. 

Like my mother, I find pleasure in helping and making others happy. In the future I hope to fulfill my dreams by going into the culinary and health industry. I want to have the opportunity to cook for the community and use my power to create organizations, teaching children how to cook, feeding the less fortunate, and supporting the local businesses. My goal is to have a second degree in dietetics. I will have the ability to design meal plans for individuals to give them a comfortable and healthy lifestyle. Given the chance to make a difference in someones life  is a feeling words alone cannot convey. If I do become successful in the future, I will remember to always keep a few things in mind. Note to Self: For as long as I live, I promise to be kind, caring, and humble like Mom.
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