Daniel Yi

"Family is not an important thing. It's everything."

-Michael J. Fox

Growing up as a minority, my parents always taught me to be strong. My dad used to tell me that in order to make it in this world, I need to strive to be the very best; he used to tell me that it's not the result that matters, it's the effort put forth. He said that as long as I put in the effort, things would unfold in my favor.

As a child, it was always so difficult to see the truth in my parents' words; I never fully appreciated everything my parents did for me until I started college.

In hopes of giving me a bright future, my parents moved to the United States soon after their marriage to start a new life. They could barely speak English and had no family or friends to turn for help. My father started from scratch and worked tirelessly at horrible jobs for years and years, until he eventually worked himself up to a job that could support his family.

When I left for college, it left a hole in my parents' lives, especially my mother who is a stay-at-home mom. With all of their friends and family so far away, my parents became even more lonesome. Once I was out of their daily lives, it left a gaping hole.

I couldn't have asked for better parents. A perfect role model father, and a warm, caring mother. My parents shaped me into who I am today, and who I will become in the future. They taught me the important things in life, and gave me more than I could have ever asked. I hope that someday, I can become a parent who is half as great and influential as my parents were to me.