1. When I saw how waiters and waitresses were treated at restaurants

They work long hours and sometimes don’t eat when it gets too busy, yet some people treat them without any respect. I understand that they serve food for people, but they have to understand that this is how they earn money. They are not uneducated, it’s just that they were never given a chance in a “real” career.

2. When my great aunt was diagnosed with cancer

She was always really happy and energetic, she was one of the last people that I thought would get cancer. Now she is only given six months to live. Everyone is having a difficult time, but that’s when I learned that in times of desperate need you can always count on family to love and support you.

3. When my little nephew turned one years old

My cousin had a difficult pregnancy causing my nephew to be born premature. So when I heard that they both had a really difficult surgery I was scared that I would lose my precious cousin and the nephew that I never met before. But when he turned one I was so thankful and happy that both my cousin and he were healthy and happy. Now he’s a happy toddler playing, eating, and interacting with other people like any other toddler. Now I just wish that he would be nicer to his brother and listen to my cousin more often.

4. When my parents finally accepted my dreams

I have always wanted to act since I was a little tater tot. I always loved performing and being on stage, entertaining people and making them happy made me happy. I had this dream for as long as I can remember and my parents were always against it. They expected me to go to a nice university and become a teacher or lawyer or something like that. They wanted me to live a life that they have always dreamed for me. When they finally accepted my goals and supported me I was thrilled. They finally learned to accept the me that I have always wanted to be. I may not be the daughter that they always wanted, but I will work hard to make them proud.

5. When my grandma was in the hospital

I was always really close with my grandma, she is like a second mother to me. She practically raised me since I was a baby because both my parents work. When I found out that she was in the hospital I was devastated. She was in the hospital before because of a surgery, but I was too young then to even remember. I was worried that she might pass away and that I wouldn’t see her one last time. Luckily she got better and is still the hyper grandma that she was before. But from that I learned to cherish every moment with my grandma and not to make any regrets.

by THERESA KIM