05/10/2026
she never made it to my games,
she never made it to my dances,
she never made it to school plays,
because she worked 2 jobs to rebuild our life in America after surviving ethnic killings and war, through all the mental health challenges refugee parents face alone in a new country.
she never made it, as a sacrifice, so I could.
I will not, even if given a thousands lifetimes live enough to honor my parents as much as they both deserve. I've seen my Mama make magic happen in the kitchen even when we had nothing in the fridge. She taught me that self respect, work ethic, integrity, humor & humility is the ultimate form wealth a person can possess. That womanbood is not in a woman's beauty, body, fancy clothes or jewelry, but in her valor, grace & compassion.
Mama thank you, everything I am and I am not, is due to your stern, unconditional, wise love.
