Greatest lesson learned from someone else:
A teacher. A visionary. A caregiver. My father.
Throughout the span of my life, my father has guided me in ways I cannot possibly imagine. Most people think when they hear Asian parents are: “Oh they must be very strict and make their children study all the time.” I can safely say this is partly true, but I take these comments with a grain of salt.
My dad has taught me the value of hard work and passion. He always believed in my abilities to become anything that I wanted to be, which kept me motivated. I can safely say that I would not be here if it wasn’t for his meddling into my life.
It all started with a trip to Canada 19 years ago. I was merely but a small embryo inside my mother’s womb when my parents arrived in Vancouver. “Hey, this would be a great place to live!” my parents said. With the hopes of new opportunities and a new family, my father and my mother sacrificed everything in South Korea to immigrate to Canada. Soon after, I was born and our family was complete.
Times were tough in Canada when they first arrived. With their limited English they were only able to acquire strenuous work for minimal compensation. Arguments arose and glasses shattered because of finances. For my benefit, they continued to live a difficult life so I could live in a prosperous land.
Everything my father did was for me. He taught me the strength of love and faith, and what family truly means. He continues to teach me to this day. My only goal is to make him proud of me, as I am proud to be his son.