My Legacy Anonymous

"Work hard and get a good job, so you can have a better life than your father and me." My mother's wise words play in my head like a broken record. Her endless endeavors have inspired me to strive for success-not only to follow through with my goals, but also to become stronger from each experience. My sister's continuous effort has given me additional support in my desire to prevail over the barriers that lie ahead. On my pathway to success, I found how hard it was to satisfy my mother's craving for the epitome of an exceptional student. Despite her criticisms and my fear of disappointing her, I persisted, sustained by the love which drove her expectations. My achievements have granted me prestige and self-confidence, as well as a sense of pride from my mother.

In Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge, after my mother's possessions and opportunities were taken from her, she vowed to give her children an education. She pushed me to become an ideal daughter. School was my priority: it was where I had to excel in order to prove myself to the world. Anything not school-related was looked down upon. Through countless hours and sleepless nights, I wanted to attain excellence. However, it seemed hopeless as I tried...