The Winner of Our “Who Do I Admire Most?” Contest Is…

Emma Pollet and her inspiring, wonderful, dedicated mother. Read Emma’s winning entry here…

Who do I admire most? This question always takes my breath.

I was never one of those girls who spent every waking moment with their mom. We have never had a relationship that mirrors the ones I have with my friends. 

How silly I was to think it needed to be like that. 

I am nineteen, and my mother lives in a different state. It’s crazy the way border lines make you realize how little you know about creating your own life. My mom, meanwhile, excels at creating. The late nights she spends at work, met with early mornings wake-ups, the time she carves out of her day to fumble through the pages of a Jane Austen novel, regardless of how worn the pages are. All of these things take my admiration for her to the moon and back.

My mom is a pillar. I’ve always known that. However, but it didn’t really hit me until it came time for me to get a flu shot by myself. Or as I learn how to keep my head when all about me are losing theirs and blaming it on me. (I have Rudyard Kipling to thank for that last one, and my mom to thank for reading his poem to me in the first place.)

My mom gave me her eyes. People often glance at my face and recognize my father. But my eyes? They’re my mom’s. They’re green in the sunlight and blue when I cry. They’re always looking at the world, and when the world doesn’t look back, they’re grey. They search for miles, for culture and opportunities and trust. My mom taught me to go the extra one, and once I’ve done that, go further. That’s how we found ourselves riding elephants in India, hiking glaciers in Iceland, and wandering the streets of Jerusalem, all while feeling nothing but gratitude.

I don’t know what I would do without her. She signed me up for a monthly shipment of vitamins without telling me. She’s funny like that. She inspires me to not only envision my best self, but to channel that vision always, especially in the mundane.

My mom takes her own advice. I’ve never written an answer to this question until now, so I hope she reads this and inspires herself, too.

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY, EVERYONE! XO

 

0 0 vote
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
1 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
fppatry
4 years ago

This is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing!