I am a first-generation American. Both my parents migrated to America, leaving behind a place they used to call home in the hopes for a better future. Their lives were shaped by daily struggles which gave me and my brother life’s most important lessons. Our parents were hardworking individuals who shaped their own destiny. I learned important life lessons from both of them, which molded my personality as a person.

I saw my father work as a painter. He would often take me along to his work site, and I would assist him by painting the inside of the cupboards since no one would pay special attention to them. He thought it was one of the most valuable life lessons for me so that I would work exceptionally hard at school in order to not become a house painter. I tried my best but could never become as dexterous as him. He was proficient and neat. His dedication to his work taught me to never back down in the face of adversities. My father would seldom complain about the drawbacks in his life. I learned responsibility from his example.

I often tried to emulate my father in terms of how he worked. I also began trying to help around the house by fixing things for my mother like he used to. They also set an example for me and my wife Dorothy through the way they handled their finances. Since Mother had a knack for numbers, Father handed over all the money to her to take care of all our needs. This trust proved to be beneficial for my relationship with my wife as she became the person who handled the finances in our marriage.

My mother was a tough woman. She was brought up by her aunts after her mother passed away and came to America at the age of fourteen. Troubles at home because of her relationship with her stepmother prompted her to quit school and take up a job at the age of sixteen. She met and married Father and dedicated her life to making our lives comfortable. She cared for me, my brother Sheldon, and my father by keeping the house, making our food, and washing clothes.

After father passed away, my mother took up a job as a seamstress to support herself. She worked hard both outside the house and within it. Her resilience and strength were some of the most important lessons in life to which I was introduced. She kept going, waking up, preparing her food, taking the subway to work until she was finally eligible to receive social security at the ripe age of sixty-two.

My mother and father faced unimaginable difficulties in order to help me and my brother lead respectable and comfortable lives. Their sacrifices, their determination to survive, and their willingness to go to any lengths to support their family were important life lessons for me that I will always treasure and strive to live by.

What are some of the stories behind the most important life lessons in your life? Share these lessons with us in the comments section below. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, or Goodreads. Grab a copy of From Brooklyn New York To Brookline Massachusetts now!

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