Beyond the struggle

By Calvin Tang

Every day, as a child, I would ask my mom “What day is it?”.Hoping every day that it would be closer to Saturday. But every time the response would be “It’s only Monday”. Or “It’s only Tuesday.” And every time,without fail I’d sigh and say “damn”.

Middle school was a real challenge for me.Mentally,Emotionally and academically aswell.It always felt like I was falling behind.I struggled a lot and always felt like I was just one step behind everyone else.Assignments,Homework,Tests, and expectations from everyone. I just couldn’t catch up no matter what I did at the time.

But through it all, my mom helped me through times where I felt like I couldn’t continue. And helped me academically and mentally in various ways. Specifically balancing how to support me but also pushing me to do my best when I could.

Nguyen:I balanced them by making you feel supportive, but to also know your potential and keep working to reach your goals.

Eventually, my mom noticed that I was struggling more than I usually did in middle school. My grades started slipping further and further,I always seemed constantly overwhelmed. I would often come home seeming more exhausted, constantly feeling drained from the expectations that I tried to make myself meet.Seeing this, my mother knew that she had to try to make a change for me.

Nguyen:“I looked for a tutor because I knew my English was not good enough to help you myself.Looking back, I would have tried to find one sooner and maybe even help you with some homework myself, even though my English was not good.”

In all honesty, at times I didn’t enjoy my mom pushing me this much to do better. There were many moments where I felt frustrated and angry, wondering why she was going so hard on me to do better. I felt convinced that she was pushing me too hard. 

Nguyen:There were times when you did not like me that much because I pushed you a lot to do better. I know it was hard for you,but I only did that because I want you to have a better future.

Despite any resentment that I might have had during those times, I now know that her persistence with pushing me to do my best was what pushed me forward, and that she was just trying to make sure that I would have a successful future.After my mom talked to my teachers, and fully understood how much I was struggling in middle school,she decided that it was time for a change.

Nguyen:After talking to your teachers, and finding out you were struggling, I sent you to different tutors for extra help.I wanted to make sure you had the support to get better.

My mom saw that I wasn’t only struggling academically at the time though, she also saw the mental toll that I was also experiencing. My mom made sure that I knew that she was supporting me.While also reminding me that struggles were something everyone went through, and there was always something to learn through them.

Nguyen:I think hard times changed you as a person by teaching you valuable lessons such as overcoming hard times,finding ways to improve, and independence.

Looking back now, I can see how much my mom supported me through struggles. And even when I didn’t appreciate it that much,she never stopped pushing me to try and live up to my potential. She taught me various valuable lessons, such as perseverance,resilience and independence. I’m really grateful for how much my mom did for me to try and ensure that I would live my best life, and those challenges shaped who I am as a person today.

For the warrior times, this is Calvin Tang.