This quarter, there are three essays; I had already completed the other two last month. I only wrote this essay shortly before the submission deadline. The reason is that I only now felt the necessary emotions, as on June 27 I will take the entrance exam, a milestone marking my personal growth. Writing this essay gave me motivation and extra strength to perform well in the exam.

My role model is not a famous person, but the one who gave me life: my mother. She told me that she gave birth to me during a period of great family hardship when our financial resources were nearly exhausted. Therefore, she could not provide me with milk like my older siblings; instead, I had to drink water. Neighbors told her that my birth was an ill omen for the family, since things were not so bad before I was born. Some even said, “Why doesn’t the child look like you? It’s so ugly.” Indeed, I was not particularly attractive as a child. Despite all these negative words and judgments, I grew up healthy and am now over 18 years old. My mother quietly endured the neighbors’ harsh words and ensured I could grow up, go to school, and stay healthy. As I now prepare for the most important exam of my life, I thank my mother for her courage in protecting me from such negativity and raising me well. I am deeply grateful and also empathetic toward those who spoke ill of her, understanding that they held outdated views. What matters is that I work hard, develop myself, and do not waste my mother’s efforts. I once read a phrase that I find very true: “When you are young, people look at your parents to judge you. But in 10 or 20 years, they will look at you to judge your parents.” (Người truyền lửa (Inspirer) – Huỳnh Anh Bình).

Although we were financially limited as children, I see that time as a beautiful memory for my mother, my siblings, and me. The four of us helped with the family sales: my mother prepared the food and waited for us to return from school, and then we divided the tasks to start the day. In the evening, we cleaned up together. Despite sun and rain, I was happy to help my mother. Days passed with many emotions—joy when sales were good, sadness when we sold little. But as long as we could eat together, with food prepared by my mother, everything was delicious.

In difficult times, we had each other; no one complained or blamed anyone for hardship. These memories are valuable to reflect on as I grow older and achieve personal success.

My mother is my anchor and motivation to continue developing myself. Later in life, I will face many challenges, and she will be the first person I think of to gain strength. To me, she is a strong, courageous woman who follows her own will, regardless of others’ judgments. She told me she excelled in geography and loved visiting places, but her education ended after seventh grade when my grandfather passed away. This motivates me to always do my best, never give up, and one day help my mother fulfill her dreams.

I will always remember my mother’s words: I must become a responsible man, a steady support for my own small family, decisive in my work, and loving to my partner. I must respect and value women—including my mother, who is still a daughter to her own mother.

I thank my mother because thanks to her, I am who I am today. She showed me what hard work means and how to overcome adversity. Even though we only have what we own and do not compete with others, I am grateful. I apologize for not always speaking sweet words to her—perhaps because I spent only about half of my life under her care. I regret disappointing her at times, but I am happy that every year I can prepare a drink for her, even if less than in previous years.

I express my feelings more through actions than words, and I trust my mother understands and recognizes them. She is my role model and inspires me to appreciate life. Famous actors or singers are not role models to me—they are only admired for temporary joy and inspiration, not lasting impact.