Everything She Was, Everything I Am

Raised by Strength, Guided by Love

Mom was a force to be reckoned with. I always wondered how she could be everything all at once a therapist, a travel planner, a sales associate, a food critic, a chef, and most importantly, a mom. But to me, she was the person who knew me better than I knew myself.

She had her own way of showing love. She would always bring me fruit, already peeled and cut. To this day, I still cannot handle a fruit and a knife the way she could. It was such a small thing, but it was her way of reminding me that she loved me.

She pushed me to be better, to be considerate, to read the room, to be polite, and to think about other people. She especially pushed me to learn how to regulate my emotions, because I can be a bit of a hothead. At the time, it felt like a lot. She held me to the highest standards. But now I understand she was just trying to set me up for success.

The older I get, the more I realize she was right about everything about the world, about people, and about me. She could read me like a book, and that is what made her so special. She understood me in a way no one else could.

I heard “I told you so” a lot growing up. I would come back to her after some crazy experience, and she would remind me that if I had just done it her way, things probably would have turned out better. And the truth is she was usually right.

I am going to carry her with me. In my mind, she has not left, because I hold her close to me every single day. I will carry the lessons she taught me, and I will carry her enjoyment of life forward in everything I do. I love you so much mommy. your first born,

by Kendrick Cheung (Son)