how my mom impacted my life essay

Sample details

• Experience,

Related Topics

• Decision Making
• Overcoming Challenges
• Organic compounds
• Stereotypes
• Difficulties
• Transformation
• Ebola Virus
• Biomolecules

How My Mother Has Impacted My Life

I suppose most people might agree it takes a village to elevate a child, and that everyone in some way leaves an impact on us even if we no longer recognize it. I know that my Mom has made the biggest impact of all on my life while always reminding me to believe in myself, treat everyone kindly as we never know what they are going thru and most important to make use of what we learn from our village so we evolve.

The reason that I say my mom has made the most impact in my life, besides all of the things that I listed earlier, is because no matter what I did my mom was the one there that kept telling me I could do anything I wanted, she believed in me when I did not believe in myself. I also have always known that my mom loves me unconditionally. Time and time again I have heard, “it does not matter what you do in your life, there is nothing you can do to make me not love you.”

ready to help you now

Without paying upfront

My mom is different than most moms, yes, she is very strict and she always said God did not give me to her to be my friend he gave me to her to love and teach and grow into a success, and even though she had a heart attack while pregnant with me from the systemic lupus and is now fighting glioblastoma, she never gives up and makes sure I know that I am her priority not her illness. I have see a lot of my friends that have healthy parents and their parents are not involved with them, heck most of the time my friends parents could not tell you what my friends were doing, who they were dating, what they were doing online, or show much interest in their achievements.

My mom, I assure you always knew where I was, knew who my friends were, and knew what I was doing online. I swear to you it true, that up until the day she dropped me at college, she was still monitoring my phone and web activity, friends and where I went. I know that it sounds like she was being controlling, and trust me their were times even I felt that way, but as I got older and saw trouble friends got into or classmates, I realized Mom did what she did out of love. My mom knew that the world is not always a good place, that no matter how much she trusted me, my brain was still growing and developing and reasoning and that I was going to make mistakes, and she just wanted to be there to guide me so that my mistakes did not ruin my life.

I think Mom was a big influence as well because she never hid her mistakes from me, she wanted to be sure that I knew that she had the experience to know what she was doing and she just wanted to save me from that pain.

Another way my mom influenced my life deeply is because I watched her struggle, work 2 or 3 jobs at a time, have a stroke that cost her all her long-term memory, and yet never, never give up. My mom was a pediatric trauma surgeon and I watched as a stroke took away her life, she loved being a doctor, and yet as she was learning to tie her shoes, or try to remember her past, or struggle to learn to count money, she just kept fighting. When I would say anything to mom about how it was not fare what she was going thru or how hard she had to work, all she would say was, ” anything worth doing is hard” and that “life should never be looked at as fair or unfair that we should just be happy we are as fortunate as we are because some people are a lot worse off.”

The impact of seeing my mom fight for her life, to watch her no matter what was thrown at her get up everyday with a smile and keep going. I know there are days mom is in so much pain she cannot hardly move, but she still up and going. My mom is living the lessons she is teaching me, and I believe that what I have learned are the skills that I am going to use for the rest of my life.

In conclusion, I just want to say that yes, I know choosing a parent as making a big impact is probably something teens say to take the easy way out, but in my case it is the truth. My mother, no matter what adversity she faced or faces never gives up and above all else, no matter what I have done or will do with my life, she will always love me unconditionally and believe that I can do anything I truly want to do in life, and that is the most wonderful gift any parent can give a child.

Cite this page

https://graduateway.com/how-my-mother-has-impacted-my-life/

You can get a custom paper by one of our expert writers

• Endocrine system
• Perspective
• Determination
• Circulatory system
• Reproduction

Check more samples on your topics

To what extent were women impacted by the renaissance.

Renaissance

Women were impacted by the Renaissance in economic rights as well as working skills and knowledge. Women were greatly affected economic wise because of the Renaissance. Before the Renaissance women had more responsibilities to make things such as cloths from scratch and food production. But after the 13th century many of these tasks as well as

Sir William Patrick Deane: What Have They Done That Impacted Australia?

Sir William Patrick Deane, was born on the 4th January 1931, he was an Australian judge and the 22nd Governor-General of Australia.  William Deane was born in Melbourne, Victoria. He was educated at Catholic schools including St. Joseph's College, Hunters Hill and at the University of Sydney, where he graduated in arts and law. He

Five Aspects of Globalization that Impacted Globalizaton

Globalization

Organized crime

I. Five Aspects of Globalization that have profoundly Impacted Criminal Organizations Globalization refers to the increasing link or association of different countries in terms of economy, culture, politics, technology, social and ecology. Globalization makes individuals easier to travel, communicate, to do business, and it helps people to gain access easily on the things they needed. Globalization

How the Mri Procedure Has Impacted Society

MRI scanning, an undeniable technological advancement, has had a profound effect on society. It empowers doctors to diagnose and possibly treat life-threatening illnesses, making its positive impact significant despite criticism from skeptics.Introduction of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan has significantly advanced medical technology, aiding in the diagnosis of potentially fatal diseases. Consequently, society benefits greatly

How Tennessee Williams Impacted Literature 

Tennessee williams

Have you ever wondered if there would be another writer as influential as Shakespeare? Some may say it is a poet or novelist, but others, such as author John Lahr, say its Tennessee Williams. Lahr claims that Williams is influential and expresses talent in his works and that he is, “The world’s greatest talent since

How Covid -19 Impacted the Environment 

Today while everyone is ecstatic to send there kids back to school, I sat in fear and disbelieve of how life right now maybe the new norm. Within my thoughts i realize how management plays one of the greatest parts in this whole covid-19 pandemic. Management as we know is the attainment of organization goal

How Technology Impacted Education

Technology in Education

“Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is most important.” -Bill Gates. There’s no doubt that technology has changed the world around us. From self ordering kiosks at restaurants to computer driven vehicles, technology is reshaping how we go about our day-to-day lives. One

How Stem Cells Have Impacted Science

Stem Cells Research

Statement of Topic I am researching the significance of the use of stem cells. Stem cells are used to enhance cell-based therapies as well as creating artificial organs. These cells are mainly harvested from the blood in the umbilical cord, a donor’s bone marrow, or from the circulating blood in an individual. Purpose I chose stem cell research

Vonnegut Mother Night Research Paper Mother

Over the old ages, such world-renowned writers as Mark Twain and J. D. Salinger have shown readers how literature reflects the epoch in which it is written. Another writer who has besides made important parts to American literature is Kurt Vonnegut, writer of such well-known novels as Slaughterhouse 5 and Cat s Cradle. Vonnegut was born

Hi, my name is Amy 👋

In case you can't find a relevant example, our professional writers are ready to help you write a unique paper. Just talk to our smart assistant Amy and she'll connect you with the best match.

Essay on My Mother Influenced My Life

Students are often asked to write an essay on My Mother Influenced My Life in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on My Mother Influenced My Life

Introduction.

My mother has been the greatest influence in my life. Her love, care, and teachings have shaped me into the person I am today. She has always been my guiding star, leading me on the right path.

My mother taught me the importance of hard work and determination. She always said, “Hard work is the key to success.” This teaching has helped me to strive for excellence in everything I do.

She instilled in me the values of honesty, kindness, and respect for others. These values have helped me to be a better person and to treat others with kindness and respect.

My mother has always been my biggest supporter. She believes in me and encourages me to follow my dreams. Her support gives me the strength to face any challenges that come my way.

In conclusion, my mother’s influence has been the most significant in my life. Her teachings, values, and support have shaped me into the person I am today. I am grateful for her love and guidance.

250 Words Essay on My Mother Influenced My Life

My mother has been the most important person in my life. She has shaped me into the person I am today. Her love and guidance have been a constant source of strength and inspiration.

Teaching Values

My mother taught me the importance of honesty, kindness, and respect. She always said that these values are more important than any material possession. This teaching has helped me build strong relationships and earn respect from others.

Importance of Education

She always stressed the value of education. She would often say, “Knowledge is power.” Because of her, I have always worked hard in school and have developed a love for learning.

Strength and Resilience

My mother is a strong woman. She has faced many challenges in life but has never let them bring her down. Her resilience has taught me to be strong and never give up, no matter how hard things get.

Love for Others

My mother has a big heart. She always goes out of her way to help others. Her kindness has taught me to be compassionate and caring.

In conclusion, my mother’s influence has been instrumental in shaping my life. Her teachings, strength, and love have made me the person I am today. I am grateful for her and strive to make her proud every day.

500 Words Essay on My Mother Influenced My Life

My mother is the most important person in my life. Her influence over my life is something I can’t express in words. She has shaped my personality, my beliefs, and my values. She is my hero, my inspiration, and my best friend. This essay is a tribute to her and the significant influence she has had on my life.

Teaching Me Values

My mother is the first teacher in my life. She taught me how to be kind, honest, and respectful to others. She always said that our actions speak louder than words. By watching her, I learned to treat everyone with kindness and respect. She always showed compassion, even to strangers. This quality of hers has influenced me greatly. I try to be kind and helpful to everyone I meet, just like her.

Guiding Me Through Life

My mother has always been my guide. She helped me navigate through the ups and downs of life. When I was upset or faced a problem, she was there to support me. She gave me advice, comforted me, and helped me find solutions. She taught me that every problem has a solution, and we should never give up. Her guidance has made me a strong and resilient person.

Instilling Confidence

Confidence is one of the most important traits that my mother instilled in me. She always believed in me and encouraged me to pursue my dreams. She said that with hard work and determination, I could achieve anything. Her faith in me boosted my self-confidence. It gave me the courage to face challenges and strive for success.

Teaching Me The Importance Of Education

My mother always emphasized the importance of education. She said that knowledge is power. She encouraged me to study hard and do well in school. She helped me with my homework, and always made sure I understood everything. Her support and encouragement have played a significant role in my academic success.

In conclusion, my mother’s influence on my life is immense. She has shaped me into the person I am today. Her teachings, guidance, and love have made me a better person. She is my role model and my biggest inspiration. I am grateful for her influence and hope to make her proud.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on My Mother My Mentor
• Essay on My Most Memorable Learning Experience
• Essay on My Most Memorable Birthday Celebration

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

One Comment

This has been very helpful in my project assignments. It also helped me see the role of my mom. Thanks a lot.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Entertainment
• Environment
• Information Science and Technology
• Social Issues

Home Essay Samples Life Mother

Why My Mom is My Role Model

Table of contents, unwavering strength and resilience, compassion and empathy, leading by example.

*minimum deadline

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below

Related Essays

Need writing help?

You can always rely on us no matter what type of paper you need

*No hidden charges

100% Unique Essays

Absolutely Confidential

Money Back Guarantee

By clicking “Send Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails

You can also get a UNIQUE essay on this or any other topic

Thank you! We’ll contact you as soon as possible.

You are using an outdated browser. For a better experience, please upgrade your browser here .

“To me, my mother defines resilience. She had such strong faith and was a very giving and positive person.”

When I was a young girl and something difficult happened, I would look to my mother for comfort and guidance. She was always there for me, helping me work through the issue or helping me gain perspective. No matter what, my mom had a positive outlook and she taught me to value the wonderful moments in life—and how to persevere in difficult times.

At the time, I had no knowledge of the difficulties, hardships, and losses she had endured. Growing up during the Great Depression, my mom lost two sisters in their childhood, suffered from tuberculosis, and supported her youngest sister through a car accident that left her a paraplegic at age nineteen.

To me, my mother defines resilience. She had such strong faith and was a very giving and positive person. Our house was like a central hub for family and friends; no one ever left hungry or without feeling a bit better than they did when they arrived.

As a child, one thing my mother would often say to me was, “this too shall pass.” At first, I found this annoying. What I was dealing with seemed like the most important and difficult thing ever! How would it ever be okay again? How would it get better? As I matured, I realized she was right. Life moves on and we all have a choice to move forward or back. She always chose moving forward.

My biggest personal challenge was losing my parents. My dad passed away two short years after my mother. They were so important to me and influential in all aspects of my life—from my belief that I could do anything I wanted professionally, to how to raise our children. They were my go-to people: the people I wanted to talk to no matter what had happened, what mistakes I made, or what joy I was feeling. Their absence was painful and more challenging than I had ever imagined. The dynamic at our holiday dinners was markedly different. For years, I hated Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. They weren’t a phone call away when I needed advice or wanted to share something special. It was a real sense of loss—something you can’t understand until you are living it. 

Thinking about my mom’s advice that “this too shall pass” gave me the strength to carry on and live life day-by-day, moment-by-moment. Like so many others who have faced the loss of family and friends, time does help mend our heavy hearts, but it is resilience that allows us to continue to move forward.

“This too shall pass,” doesn’t mean that the problem, feelings or situation will magically disappear. Rather, it can lead to a very reflective thought process that helps you find inner strength to address the challenge at hand or simply continue to put one foot in front of the other.

So as you face obstacles and challenges, as we all do, I hope my mother’s advice will help you choose to move forward, find solutions and make the best of what life has to offer.

Under Mary’s leadership, GM is focused on strengthening its core business while working to lead the transformation of personal mobility through advanced technologies such as connectivity, electrification, autonomous driving and car sharing. Barra has established a strategic direction based on putting the customer at the center of everything the company does, all around the world. She was elected Chairman of the GM Board of Directors on January 4, 2016, and has served as CEO of GM since January 15, 2014. Stay in touch with Mary via Facebook , LinkedIn and Twitter .

By Mary Barra • May 2017

More Stories in Grief & Loss

“Sheryl Sandberg on why we need to expand workplace leave after loss”

“padma lakshmi on grief and work”, “the last time i saw my daughter”, we're here to help you navigate loss and hardship and support your loved ones., join our community of facebook follow us on instagram, start by telling us what you’re here for.

• I'm facing a challenge
• I want to support someone else
• I want to build everyday resilience

Which of these is most relevant to the challenges you're facing?

Which of these is most relevant to the challenges they're facing.

• Grief & Loss
• Health, Illness & Injury
• Abuse & Sexual Assault
• Divorce & Family Challenges
• Incarceration
• Raising Resilient Kids

My Mom Is My Inspiration

There are many people that have had an impact on my life and influenced me in many different ways. My mother, however, has had the biggest impact on my life, and influenced me more than anyone else. She has had an impact on me since the day I was born, and she still does today.

My mother is the reason I am who I am today. She taught me how to be strong and independent, yet also how to be caring and compassionate. She has always been there for me, even when no one else was. When I was in high school and going through some tough times, she was always there for me. She would listen to me, give me advice, and just be there for me. I don’t know what I would have done without her during those times.

My mother has also had a big impact on my happiness. Whenever I am feeling down, she knows how to make me feel better. She is always there for a hug or a chat when I need it. Even when she is having a tough day, she always takes the time to make sure I am okay. I know that I can always count on her to make me feel better.

My mother is my biggest inspiration. She has taught me so much and has always been there for me. I am who I am today because of her. She is the most important person in my life and I love her with all my heart.

I’m certain she had an impact on me before I could even talk by the way she looked after me as an infant. My mother has always been a Christian. Throughout my life, this has had a significant influence on me. Even though my mother was unaware of it, she still had an impact on me throughout high school. My mother may have influenced me when I was younger than that. I was young, but I am confident in saying that she impacted me.

She would always talk to me and try to get me to say things back. I don’t think I ever said anything back, but it did not matter to her. She kept trying anyway. When I was in high school, my mother had an impact on me even though I did not want her too. I was a teenager, and I thought I knew everything. I was wrong of course, but that is how most teenagers feel. My mother would always try to talk to me about my day and what was going on in my life. I would usually just brush her off, but she never gave up on me. She would always be there for me when I needed her. Even though I did not always show it, I appreciated everything she did for me.

My mother is the one person who has always been there for me. She is the one person who I can always count on no matter what. She is my inspiration and my role model. I am who I am today because of her. I love my mother with all of my heart, and I know she loves me too.

She would come over once I started to cry and see what I needed. She would change my diaper if it was necessary, or she would feed me if that was what I desired. If there was anything else wrong with me, she would certainly discover it. She wouldn’t give up until I stopped crying. If my mother had left me screaming in my crib for hours, I would have recognized her indifference quickly.

But she never left me crying for very long. She would always come to see what I needed, and try to make me happy again.

My mother was also the one who taught me how to walk and talk. Whenever I took my first steps, or said my first words, she was always there to encourage me. She would clap and cheer for me, and tell me how proud she was of me. Even when I was having a tough time learning something new, she would never give up on me. She would always find a way to help me understand it better.

My mother has always been the happiest person I know. No matter what was going on in her life, she would always try to make the best of it. She would always find something to smile about. Even when she was going through some tough times, she would never let it get her down for long. She would always pick herself back up and keep going.

My mother is the reason why I am the person I am today. She has always been my biggest inspiration. I have always looked up to her and tried to be like her in everything I do. I hope that someday I can make her proud of me, just like she has always made me proud of her.

My mother made her way through the storm, undeterred by the growing darkness and violence in the sky. My mother was eager to go out again, barely anyone knew that she was going somewhere so far. She was heading to areas of the province distant from civilization to conduct business. Despite being in her 40s, my mother had to work hard every day to support our family and earn a living.

In my memory, my mother always went to bed late and woke up early. She was busy with her work all day long. In the morning, she prepared breakfast for us and then took us to school. After work, she often went to the market to buy food for our family. Sometimes she came home late at night, but she never complained. Seeing her hard work, I felt very ashamed and did not want to be lazy anymore.

My mother is a high school graduate. However, due to financial difficulties, she could not continue her studies after graduation. Even so, my mother has always been a very happy person. When I was young, every time I saw my friends going out with their mothers, I always felt very jealous. I wished I could have a mother like them who could spend more time with me and take me out to play.

Now that I am grown up, I understand why my mother was always so busy. She was working hard to provide for our family and give us a better life. Whenever I see her working so hard, I am filled with gratitude for everything she has done for me. I am also more determined than ever to make her proud of me.

My mother is my inspiration. She has taught me the importance of hard work and perseverance. No matter what challenges we face in life, I know that as long as we work hard and never give up, we will eventually achieve our goals.

To export a reference to this essay please select a referencing style below:

Related essays:

• Inspiration in “Ode to the West Wind”
• Poetry Essay Examples
• Harley Quinn’s Story-Personal Narrative
• Life of Sara McCurly
• Personal Narrative: Growing Up Without A Mom Research Paper
• Essay about Growing Up Narrative
• Essay On Military Family Deployment
• A Childs Promise
• Essay on PDD-NOS Case Studies
• Personal Narrative On Suicide Essay
• Eminem lyrics Essay Examples

I Was Mominfluenced—But Not in the Way You’d Think

After seeing so much content hyper-focused on the draining aspects of motherhood, moms on Instagram became a welcome reprieve.

Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

In the fall of 2020—seven months into the pandemic—my husband and I decided to get a dog. Many people were happy for us, though others urged us to proceed with caution. “It will destroy your clothes and poop all over your apartment,” they said while forecasting months of sleep deprivation and astronomical vet bills. Most depressing was the belief that a dog was just a temporary stand-in for a baby—a drain on our resources that we’d eventually lose interest in long before he or she died, inevitably from cancer.

Over the past decade, this mismatch between expectation and reality has led to a rich and essential dialogue about the stresses of motherhood, including how these stresses are shaped by geography, class, and race . Yet recently, some have begun to question whether the pendulum has swung too far. For prospective moms today, the general consensus seems to be that motherhood is a miserable experience that has less to do with structural issues around privilege and access—consistently it is white, wealthy women who report the highest levels of dissatisfaction with motherhood—and more to do with what one writer calls “the quotidian torture of parenthood” : the sleepless nights, the diapers, the clutter, and the hours of mind-numbingly boring play.

This hyper-emphasis on the most draining aspects of motherhood has made it “genuinely difficult to find mainstream portrayals of moms who are not stressed to the brink, depressed, isolated, or increasingly resentful,” writes Vox’s Rachel Cohen . Despite a desire among millennials to have kids, the country’s birth rate has plummeted since 2007. At the same time, pregnant millennials are feeling more confused and scared than ever . My own first trimester felt like one continuous panic attack fueled by reports of primal scream gatherings for moms living up and down the East Coast. In those moments when I allowed myself to lean into my excitement and longing for my baby, I felt conflicted and guilty, as though I was sabotaging social progress or my own professional future.

Enter Instagram: that strange parallel universe where motherhood is often made to look blissful, shiny, and uncomplicated. Over the course of my pregnancy, I was served hundreds of reels about everything from swaddling to tummy time, alongside ads for $1,500 strollers, “smart” bassinets, and costly Montessori play kits. In her book Momfluenced: Inside the Maddening, Picture-Perfect World of Mommy Influencer Culture , author Sara Petersen tells the story of the women behind many of these ads— “momfluencers” who commodify the experience of motherhood, convincing moms-to-be that certain products will make their lives better. Health-conscious, impeccably dressed, and usually white, these momfluencers project a very specific version of motherhood marked by Hill House Nap dresses, sourdough recipes, immaculate countertops, and artisanal cookware. Combining imagery and storytelling, their work positions them as authors and creators, elevating labor that has previously been thankless and invisible.

.css-1aear8u:before{margin:0 auto 0.9375rem;width:34px;height:25px;content:'';display:block;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-1aear8u:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/elle/static/images/quote.fddce92.svg);} .css-1bvxk2j{font-family:SaolDisplay,SaolDisplay-fallback,SaolDisplay-roboto,SaolDisplay-local,Georgia,Times,serif;font-size:1.625rem;font-weight:normal;line-height:1.2;margin:0rem;margin-bottom:0.3125rem;}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1bvxk2j{font-size:2.125rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-1bvxk2j{font-size:2.125rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1bvxk2j{font-size:2.25rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 73.75rem){.css-1bvxk2j{font-size:2.375rem;line-height:1.2;}}.css-1bvxk2j b,.css-1bvxk2j strong{font-family:inherit;font-weight:bold;}.css-1bvxk2j em,.css-1bvxk2j i{font-style:italic;font-family:inherit;}.css-1bvxk2j i,.css-1bvxk2j em{font-style:italic;} Now that my daughter is here, I find myself feeling enormously grateful to the moms I follow on Instagram.”

But momfluencing, Petersen tells us, is also incredibly dangerous. No matter how real or “unfiltered” they profess to be, every momfluencer engages in a type of performance that equates good motherhood with a certain aesthetic, glossing over—and at times denying—the very real challenges of being a parent in the United States. As it feeds off a parasocial illusion of intimacy, momfluencing can make us feel bad if we don’t measure up. In its most extreme cases, it can idealize regressive notions of womanhood, deploying a neo-Laura Ingalls Wilder aesthetic as a visual proxy for alt-right conservatism .

For anyone on social media, momfluencers have become inescapable. For years, I have followed several—many before they even became moms. With each post, I have been granted a window into their children’s lives, occasionally in ways that have made me profoundly uncomfortable seeing as no child has offered their consent to such public documentation.

And yet—now that my daughter is here—I find myself feeling enormously grateful to the moms I follow on Instagram. Visually, my life looks nothing like theirs. Most days, I walk around with mismatched socks, unbrushed hair, and baggy clothes to hide the pregnancy weight that won’t come off; meanwhile, my house is a pigsty of teething toys, dirty dishes, unfolded laundry and, yes, unvacuumed dog hair. Despite it all, I am the happiest I have ever been in my life. Let it be known: There are parts of motherhood that are really, really hard . But after years of fearing what motherhood might take away, I am surprised—even shocked—at how life-affirming the experience can be. Along with her furry 80-pound “sister,” my daughter has taught me so much about patience, gratitude, humility, and imagination. Just looking at her can bring tears to my eyes, filling me with a love that stretches far beyond the confines of our own little family.

It has been suggested that such dread is necessary for prospective moms given that the joy of motherhood is already ‘well-established’ and therefore goes without saying. But that’s just it—it doesn’t go without saying. At least it didn’t for me.”

I would be lying if I said that the moms I follow on Instagram had nothing to do with this. As the first of my friends to get pregnant, I looked to their posts as not only a source of information, but also a real-life example of maternal joy. Now that I am a mom myself, their pictures inspire me to relish certain moments. Though I have made the decision not to post pictures of my daughter’s face on social media, the practice of taking her picture has been a way for me to savor the precious and make time stand still. With my phone in hand, I am able to capture those things about motherhood that can be so hard to put into words —that “tenderness” that is so often misread as reductive, boastful, maudlin, toxically positive, or karmically foolish.

It is not lost on me that others’ emphasis on the miseries of motherhood made me wait to have kids, and that this waiting—along with an amazing partner—has undoubtedly made me a happier mom. It is also not lost on me that I am early on in this journey, and that the coming years will bring new epiphanies, grievances, and hardships. Certainly, conversations about these hardships are imperative. Still, I wonder whether leading with too much dread has the potential to do more harm than good. It has been suggested that such dread is necessary for prospective moms given that the joy of motherhood is already “well-established” and therefore goes without saying. But that’s just it—it doesn’t go without saying. At least it didn’t for me.

For years, the way we’ve been talking about motherhood has painted all sane mothers as miserable and all happy mothers as stupid, brainwashed, loaded, or fake. But there has to be a better way. In addition to giving moms more support, we need to empower women from all backgrounds to honor the ways motherhood can be hard, as well as the ways it can be beautiful, miraculous, and revolutionary.

Momfluencers did that for me, and for that, I will always be thankful.

News & Politics

Is Abortion a Matter of National Security?

Bringing My Abortion Story to the Senate Floor

The Women Bringing Suffs to Broadway

Abby Phillip Is Bringing Empathy to Cable News

Veronica Escobar Is a Voice for Border Communities

The Systemic Attack on Our Private Health Data

Rep. Barbara Lee on Shirley Chisholm

Alabama Tried to Control My Frozen Embryos. What’s

Women Can Get Birth Control Without Prescription

The No Apologies Tour

Olivia Giving Out Condoms at Gigs Is Perfection

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• Overview: Celebrating PEOPLE's 50th Anniversary 11 Stars, One Iconic Cover Letter from the Editor Toasting 50 Years with... Jennifer Aniston Talking Big Life Lessons with... Oprah Winfrey
• Matthew McConaughey
• Nicole Kidman
• Viola Davis
• Iconic Moments

How PEOPLE Changed My Life

• Dwayne Johnson
• Reese Witherspoon
• Michael J. Fox
• Serena Williams
• Drew Barrymore
• John Legend
• Human Interest

We revisited some of our most memorable subjects to learn what happened after they shared their harrowing stories with us

Liz McNeil is an Editor at Large at PEOPLE, where she's worked for over 30 years.

Victoria Stevens, courtesy; Sheyenne Morales

For the past five decades, PEOPLE has told stories of extraordinary stories of courage, perseverance and humanity. As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, we revisited some of the individuals who have touched readers' hearts.

Alexa Smagala

People has kept in touch with the now-22-year-old graduate student, who lost her father on Sept. 11, 2001, for more than two decades.

Understanding that I didn’t have a father but other kids did was weird at first. Sometimes it was hard to be asked about it because I’d think how different it would have been if he was here. More so now.

I wish he could have come to my college graduation. That’s just how death works. One day they’re here, one day they’re not. You have to cope with that, and that’s confusing. It was my mom’s loss, my loss. It was harder on her because she didn’t want me to feel the pain through her. She was trying to protect me.

Sharing my story with PEOPLE helped connect. When we did the 20th anniversary story, I came to terms more with the loss. You feel like your problem is so big, but then compared to what’s going on in the world, it’s kind of small.

When I met the other kids going through the same thing, it was a relief. "Well, this sucks, but I’m not the only one who feels this way." Every once in a while we check in, but we’re all in different states and colleges now.

At 22, it’s much easier to talk about losing a parent. I see the number 226 everywhere. That was his engine number. I feel like he’s with me. — As told to LIZ MCNEIL

Victoria Stevens

Keishall Barrow

The mother, then 22, was separated from her 20-month-old daughter, Kalise, for three weeks following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. PEOPLE published a successful call to reunite them.

The hurricane hit. We didn’t know it was going to be as bad as it was, so we were all scrambling. Everything was flooded. Everybody’s crying. My three kids, their dad had recently died in a car accident. [Barrow was living with her aunt while working and going to school, and her children were staying with family members.]

The next morning I told my aunt, “I have to go to the [New Orleans] Superdome. I have to see if I see my mom, my son and [daughters].”

She was able to locate her mother and her son Kalin, 10 months, at the Superdome, and a few days later she received a call about her daughter Kenya, 2, who was safe in Atlanta with another aunt. Her search for Kalise took her to Houston, to no avail.

I remember breaking down in a bathroom, praying, “God, I need to hear from somebody.” After the People story came out, my phone starts ringing off the hook. The first lady that called said, “Kalise is in Mississippi. Call the sheriff’s department. They know where your daughter is.” So I booked my bus ticket. I go to Mississippi.

When Kalise saw me walking in, she had fire in her feet. She said, “Mama!” and took off running to me. Fast-forward, Kalise is now in school to be a journalist. I say, “Kalise, tell your story. Because what are the odds you were in PEOPLE, and now here you are? You’re going to be telling other people’s stories, but guess what? You already have a story to tell, baby.” — As told to ALEX ROSS

courtesy alex ross

Beth Holloway

When 18-year-old Natalee Holloway disappeared in Aruba in 2005, PEOPLE joined her mother in the search for answers, a quest that lasted decades.

[PEOPLE reporter] Jeff [Truesdell] and I were in Aruba for the same reason: to find out what happened to Natalee. We developed a trust. He disseminated posters and chased down theories. We were not able to get any real information from authorities.

So we began searches on our own. He picked me up at the hotel in his rental car, and we traveled to a compound where we thought Natalee might have been taken. We didn’t know what we were going to find. Jeff had found the address of one of the persons of interest. There was a concrete fence topped with circles of barbed wire around the house.

Jeff got out first. “I’m going to scope it out,” he said. He was just that kind of straight-up reporter. We didn’t find Natalee, but I was able to put that to rest in my mind: I had visited the home, I’d seen it.

It’s very tiring for families to continue these searches for their missing loved ones, but little threads of information could be around any corner. [People was] a powerful tool in that search, in turning over every stone for answers. In seeking justice. — As told to EMILY PALMER

Butch Dill /AP

Jeanne White-Ginder

More than three decades ago, after the boy from Kokomo, Ind., was banned from his high school, he helped galvanize the country to stand up for people with HIV/AIDS.

Ryan was diagnosed in 1984. He had just turned 13. He was one of the first children and hemophiliacs to contract AIDS [via blood transfusion]. They only gave him three to six months to live. He lived for five more years. Ryan was bored at home. He said, “Call the school. I don’t want to flunk.”

After the school board voted not to let him back in, overnight the story broke. The next day, media was everywhere at our house. An attorney called and asked, “Do you really want to go to school that bad? It could get ugly.” Ryan said yes. I saw how that gave him hope. He wasn’t living to die. He was living to live.

Ryan felt comfortable with PEOPLE. They showed him with a smile on his face. He said [PEOPLE contributor] Taro Yamasaki was the only person he wanted to photograph him, because he wouldn’t make him look sickly. Ryan did not want to portray people with AIDS like they could not live normal lives.

There was so much hatred and discrimination towards the gay community at the time, and the IV drug users. Ryan wanted to fight for everybody who had AIDS. He had a purpose. He worried about everybody else. His story touched the nation. I could not be more proud. He had a heart of gold. — As told to LIZ McNEIL

Jessica McClure

In 1987 the toddler defied the odds — and captured the attention of the nation — after falling into a Texas well.

I don’t remember being rescued. I learned about it when I was 4 and watched it on Rescue 911 at my then stepmother’s house. It was overwhelming. I remember crying. She said, “You do realize that is about you?” My dad said, “We were waiting until she was a little bit older to tell her.”

In a way I guess it happened the way it was supposed to. I was picked on because of it, but most people are kind and think what happened is an amazing miracle. It is. I don’t believe that any of it would’ve happened without God.

My reputation precedes me. One guy said to my husband, “You’re married to Baby Jessica!” It’s part of my life, but it doesn’t define me. Still, I was going through Facebook with some friends the other day, and I said, “These pictures were in PEOPLE.”

They responded, “You’ve been in PEOPLE?” I said, “Yeah, a few times.” I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t pretty cool. Not many people can say that. — As told to K.C. BAKER

Sheyenne Morales

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Father — How My Father Has Influenced Me the Most in My Life

How My Father Has Influenced Me The Most in My Life

• Categories: Father Influential Person

About this sample

Words: 685 |

Published: Sep 1, 2023

Words: 685 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Table of contents

A role model of perseverance, the power of empathy and compassion, lifelong learning and intellectual curiosity, legacy and moving forward.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Prof. Kifaru

Verified writer

• Expert in: Life

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2 pages / 1064 words

5 pages / 2219 words

2 pages / 994 words

1 pages / 535 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Father

An absent father can have a profound impact on a child's development and well-being. Whether the absence is due to divorce, separation, death, or other circumstances, the effects can be far-reaching and long-lasting. In this [...]

Arm Wrestling with My Father is a poignant and introspective essay written by Brad Manning that explores the complex and often strained relationship between a father and his son. Manning delves into the physical and emotional [...]

It was a warm summer day when my world was turned upside down. I received a phone call that would change my life forever. My dad had been in a car accident, and the news was not good. I rushed to the hospital, my heart pounding [...]

Every individual has a series of achievements in their life, and often, there is a person who plays a pivotal role in shaping those accomplishments. In my case, when it comes to writing my dad is my inspiration essay, my father [...]

Most would say that Victor’s issue was that he had daddy issues. But why? Victor’s father Alphonse is a respectable and loving man, but has always felt as if he didn’t belong in his family and especially felt rejected by his [...]

This personal narrative essay is about my father’s stroke. My father has always been the rock in my family, always supporting my sisters, my mother and I. When my father had a stroke, it was very unexpected and tragic for my [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free