My Greatest Inspiration

Greetings, I am Phillip , a twenty-five year old of Florida. I was born in Florida along with my older brother and raised by a single parent, my mother. The person that has helped me when it really matters is my mom, Mrs. Rozetta. She is my greatest inspiration because through-out my life, she has been a hard working family provider, dedicated mother, woman of God and last but not least, she has always been there for me when it matters most.

While growing up, I always thought that my mother was too hard on me, especially when compared to my older brother. Although, sometimes I gave my mother a hard time and she was very tough on me, she never turned her back on me. Therefore, I later realized that her tough love made me into an over-achiever, she has always been there for me when I needed her and simply that momma knows best.

During the summer of my sophomore year at college, I thought that my world was over when my high school sweetheart broke up with me. I lost focus and was confused for an entire year. I needed my mother most during this time in my life because I was so depressed that I wanted to quit school and at times, I felt suicidal. During this year of confusion, although I was in Tallahassee and my mother was in Miami she was there for me everyday to encourage and motivate me and to ease my emotional pain. No matter what time of day or night that I needed someone to talk to, even if she was at work during the day, or sleep 3:00am at night, she would answer my phone call and or call me to make sure that I was okay. Although, it took me an entire year to completely regain focus, because of my mothers’ words of encouragement and guidance, I stayed in college and was still able to graduate with my Bachelor of Science Degree within four years.

Another time that my mom was there for me when it mattered most, was during my junior year when I was financially struggling. Although my college tuition was taken care of through my music scholarship, I did not have enough to take care of my living expenses such as food, rent and utility money. I was unable to work because of school and my scholarship obligation to the marching and symphonic bands. Three months past and my mother still did not know of my financial struggle. I did not tell her because she raised me to be independent and because I knew that my mom was also having financial hardship. Nevertheless, somehow, she found out and of course fussed at me because I did not tell her about my situation. Afterwards, she somehow still made a way to provide for me despite of her own financial situation.

In conclusion, my mommy, raised me to be an over-achiever through her tough love. She taught me life survival skills and how to, “By any Means Necessary,” Make it Happen despite struggling situations that I may face. Because of her, I was able to continue my education and obtain my undergraduate degree while under stress. I credit the accomplishment of my B.S. Degree to my mother because she was there for me when it mattered most. She is my Greatest Inspiration!

Phillip, FL
Posted: October 08, 2008

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