My mom, my leader by Maya

My mom, my leader by Maya - May 2024 Scholarship Essay

For me, leadership is embodied in my mother’s cooking. I have always thought of my mom as someone who stood without aid, no matter how hard the wind blew. Even when making stacks on stacks of food for the family. Despite me and my dad’s offerings, she stood alone. Her determination to complete the task as the smell of shepherd's pie filled the air. I always hope to reflect her image. Yet, when she was diagnosed with blood cancer, I found that I was disillusioned. At the beginning of my freshman year, she began her long journey. It was during silent dinners and loud tears I learned that strength isn’t maintained alone.
Active listening is an essential leadership quality as it builds strong relationships. Showing that you care for what a person is saying creates trust. Rather than listening to create a reply or rebuke, it seeks to understand.

As my brother chopped vegetables at my side, I realized that she wasn’t truly alone while at the stove. In the past, my brother was peeling away husks of corn, dad was outside grilling our choice of meat, and I did whatever I could. Yet, even when extra hands weren’t required, they still guided her. The past generations of index card recipes, modern-day videos, and phone calls with friends guided her. During the toughest challenge yet, everyone was there. Through simple tasks of opening a can or watching over a boiling pot, I stayed by her side.

Great leaders should be open-minded. Change can often be perceived as scary to some since it involves the unknown. Yet, people should embrace this and strive towards it. Adapting to new surroundings and seeking out opportunities to change is vital to thrive.

While my mother’s condition ultimately led her to retire she embraced this new lifestyle. New recipes found online fill our kitchen table. Because of her newfound love for Korean dramas, eating out has become a fun new adventure. Special meals of hotpot and Korean barbeque bring our family together. We laugh at our silliness when we make mistakes and embarrass ourselves in front of waiters. So she disproved the notion that an older dog can’t learn new things.

Another component of being a strong leader is good time management. Being able to prioritize certain tasks so all the work can be completed is important for individual and group assignments. The ability to revise and strengthen the work can also be accomplished, thus submitting a stronger piece.
Before her condition, she worked as a nurse case manager. She balanced the patient's medical bills and the house duties without batting an eye. Her simple texts of preheating the oven to prepare for dinner were something I merely glossed over. Looking back I realize her ability to time for when she would get off work, undress, relax, and cook dinner was a quality of meticulous planning. But she also understood when too much of her time was being consumed. As we all huddled together watching a movie without late-night pizza slices.

From then I remember to embody these qualities. I went from a passive listener to an active participant during class. Cold emailing teachers for assistance and going to diverse events. The shift in the household dynamic may have shaken us, but it also created a strong bond between me and my brother. Her basic lessons in cooking carried us through the late nights that seeped into our kitchen. We rewarded our hard work with movies of my brother’s generation. At the same time keeping track of school work. Sticking to my study plan days before quizzes. Saying no when movie night fell on the night before an exam. Throughout college, I continue to remember these lessons. As an aspiring paralegal and eventual attorney, I hope to live up to the leader my mother is.