Respect. Undoubtedly the single most important quality a human being can posses. From the time I was a toddler, or navigating through my terribly awkward teenage years, and now into the opportunistic environment of young adulthood I was constantly reminded that showing respect to others was the only arsenal I would ever need in my life. In my case, a universal trait of respect was evident but it was the women figures who surrounded me that truly taught me to share kindness, not only toward people in general but other women especially.

Since I was the middle child and the only male sibling in my family I was introduced to a perspective on life that I will carry with me forever. My older sister, who is now in her early thirties was always the one to show me the realistic perspective on life’s hardest moments. As we both grew up reflecting the same teenage angst she never sugarcoated issues such as issues with parents and consensual relationships. It was times such as these where I learned that being condescending or ill-mannered toward women on behalf of what they think or believe would never be the right way to handle a situation.

On the other end of the spectrum, these lessons carried over into how I treated and protected my younger sister as well. I knew how people associated young girls, fragile or naive, but she was never that and nor did I view her as such. She is resilient, inquisitive, and strong-willed. There were many instances where she felt misguided and unjust by her peers but I always the first to assure her that merely because the people around say you cannot accomplish something does not make it true. I was always honest about the mindset of other people she would be sure to witness in her own experiences but never to deter away from her aspirations merely because she is a girl.

By the time I was old enough to pass on lessons such as these it struck me that I no longer looked at respect in the realms of men and women but as one universal right that everyone deserved. The biggest thanks I can award goes to the strongest woman I have ever met and will ever know, my mother. Her unconditional love and support on board with whatever I set my mind too is my driving force behind being the best version of myself that I can be. She taught me how to be courteous, open-minded, accepting, supportive, and patient. Her words still float around in my head with every decision I make as I always admired how they never fit a mold and constantly went against the traditional way of thinking for the time we lived in. Never once did I feel ashamed for the person I was because of the way she raised me and with all of that compassion I was able to reciprocate the tremendous feeling of gratefulness to all who walked in my life.

I believe it is always important to stay appreciative for the people in your life and without the women who inspired mine I feel as if I would be in a much different place. Wherever that life would’ve taken me I will never dwell on because I’m forever thankful for the one I was granted. To my three angels, please always know you will forever hold my loyalty and love for what you have blessed me with.