17 years, that is how long I have always had my mother to count on for my every need. As a senior, I never realized how much I have come to depend on my mom until now, when going to college without her seems like an impossibility.
Like many teenage girls, I am very close with my mom. She has always been my number one supporter through life, never failing to be there for my every need. My mother, Laura Kaufman, is my hero in life, and I can only ever hope to be half as good as the person she is someday.
My mother loves helping people, and anyone who has ever volunteered with her would confidently agree. For six years, we have been a part of National Charity League, an organization dedicated to encouraging philanthropy between mothers and daughters. Throughout our tenure, we have completed hundreds of service hours together, from serving breakfast early on Saturday mornings to chopping carrots for hours on end. On many occasions, I would be cranky and tired, yet when I would look at my mom, I would always be met with a bright smile worn by someone who was simply happy to be serving those in need. This year, my mom will have achieved over 100 volunteer hours, while also juggling her career as a realtor.
There have been countless times I have been recognized by someone who had been sold a house by my mother. Every time I meet one of my mom’s past clients, they all seem to adore her and I can imagine why. She implements her passion for helping others into her career and is always willing to do what is best for her clients, always willing to do anything in order to find them a house they love.
Sometimes, when I was little, my mom would take me to work with her. I remember feeling so grown up when she would place me in charge of handing out the Girl Scout cookies at her open houses, receiving a front seat to the impressive, professional version of my mother. Even when I was younger, it was easy to recognize the comfort and support my mom brought her clients, and I aspired to be exactly like her. Still today, she is my professional role model, and I cannot wait to have my own profession that gives me the opportunity to help people just like she does every day.
My younger sister and I are so lucky to be able to have such a strong woman to set our example, who always prioritizes our happiness. Out of all of the favorable qualities my mom possesses, it is really her willingness to place our happiness as her first priority that I appreciate the most. I have only recently become fully aware of the many things my mom does for us behind the scenes. An example would be that she always organizes everything I have to remember on a calendar for me, months in advance, and restocks my favorite snacks every week. Actually, just last month, I said I wanted to experiment with different kinds of protein bars, and I came home to what seemed to be about 30 different brands and flavors.
This fall, I will be beginning school at Cal Poly SLO, which I would never have been able to achieve without my mom’s endless support and, while I am nervous for many different elements of college, I feel most scared of how I will not be able to have her there with me. I wish I could do something for her that could possibly amount to the magnitude of devotion that she has shown to me for the last 17 years. But, for now, all I can do is express my boundless gratitude.
Mom, happy Mother’s Day. Thank you for embodying the true meaning of selflessness, zeal and love. You will forever be my greatest role model.
