I’ve always had a passion for writing. The way words can flow freely without restrictions, conveying thoughts in a way no other gestures can thus revealing the most intricate details of our hearts. Although, I must say - not even words can measure up to the amount of gratitude I feel. This one’s for you mom and dad.

Being a foreign born citizen, I was very attached at first. My mom would drop off little Taiwanese lunches for me and I would hold onto her hand, begging her to stay a little longer.

“Can’t you sit and eat lunch with me?” I pleaded.

She had to be firm in her answer, but as she backed away, which she later told me, she would be peeking at me as I quickly wiped away tears from my eyes, scared and confused to be amidst an unknown environment with a bunch of strangers. She too, would then feel a tear forming.

As the years went on, I began to shift and mold into the person that I am today. In doing so I went through a stubborn, persistent phase of childhood adolescence. Those were the years that I would constantly feel embarrassed, even angry towards my parents. The fact that they were only able to muster up broken English at school events made me indubitably ashamed. Why couldn’t they be “normal” like my classmates’ parents? What would my peers think of them or worse, me? Such incessant, negative thoughts would pervade my mind, causing my emotions to dominate over everything else. I was so caught up in my personal life and selfish feelings that I failed to realize the importance of the people that have stood by my side since day one. After all, I wouldn’t be here in the first place if it weren’t for them. I wouldn’t have been given the privilege to be pursuing an education here in the US. Of course, that slipped my unshakable mindset during the time.

If I could go back in time I would scold my younger self on how immature I was being. Then I would remind myself how lucky I am to have the most caring and intelligent parents in the world that simply want the best for me.

Isn’t it funny how parents go through all stages of our lives with us? From the second we’re born then merging into the good, the bad, the ugly and crazy - yet they are still the only people in the world with the capability of loving us wholly and unconditionally.

This is a tribute to immigrant parents everywhere - thank you for the endless sacrifices and for coming to America in hopes of providing a better life for us. We can only hope and strive to make you guys proud someday.