Molded by Love and Strength: A Legacy of Perseverance and Empathy

My dad, may God bless his soul, was a man of determination and courage. He was the kind of man who'd wake up before the rooster and work till the cows came home, as the saying goes. The work ethic he had was unmatched, and I can't recall a day when he didn't work with his whole heart. His hands, rough and hardened from years of toil, spoke volumes of his character.

ᶦᵐᵃᵍᵉ: ᵖᶦᶜᵏᵖᶦᶜ

From him, I inherited a trait that has been the backbone of my life – perseverance. Just like my dad, I learned to stay positive in the face of hardship, never to give up, and to keep pushing forward no matter what. This trait has helped me overcome many obstacles and reach where I am today. It has taught me to see failure not as a dead-end but as a stepping stone to success. I'm thankful for this trait and wouldn't trade it for anything else.

ᶦᵐᵃᵍᵉ: ᵖᵘᵇˡᶦᶜᵈᵒᵐᵃᶦⁿᵖᶦᶜᵗᵘʳᵉˢ

On the other hand, my mom is the representation of love and care. Her heart, I swear it's the size of the universe. She has this odd ability to love unconditionally and always be there for us.

ᶦᵐᵃᵍᵉ: ʷᶦᵏᶦᵖᵉᵈᶦᵃ

From her, I have learned empathy. She taught me to not just put myself in others' shoes but also to walk a mile in them. This trait has helped me connect with people on a deeper level, to understand them better, and to be a better friend, and hopefully, a spouse and parent in the future.

ᶦᵐᵃᵍᵉ: ʷᶦᵏᶦᵐᵉᵈᶦᵃ

I won't lie, there are times when it feels like a curse. Having a big heart in a world that’s often so cold can be tough. But seeing the world through empathetic eyes, I wouldn't have it any other way. It's like a superpower that allows me to connect with people on a deeper level, and that's something I'll always cherish.

ᶦᵐᵃᵍᵉ: ʷᶦᵏᶦᵐᵉᵈᶦᵃ

When I think about the traits I'd want to pass on to my kids, these two are definitely on top of the list. I want them to inherit the perseverance of their grandfather, to have the strength to keep going when life gets tough. And beside that, I want them to have their grandmother's heart, to always have kindness and empathy for others.

ᶦᵐᵃᵍᵉ: ʳᵃʷᵖᶦˣᵉˡ

I guess you could say that I'm a blend of my parents' best traits, the perfect mix of their hard work and love. They've shaped me into who I am today, and for that, I am eternally grateful. So, here's to all the dads who worked tirelessly to provide for their families, and to all the moms who loved us unconditionally. You are our heroes, our role models, and we hope to make you proud.