We Should Say "Thanks" More Often

I can't stress how important it is for young girls to have an important role model in their life. Having a strong female figure in your life is so vital when growing up. Every girl needs to have someone to shadow for a while; someone to learn from, talk to, cry on, laugh with. Relationships like these help you get through the sticky stuff that seems to be impossible to escape, and once you have that kind of relationship, it's important to let that person know how important they are and grateful you are for them, even if you might not really see it right away.

I know it's a bit cliche, but my mother is really my biggest role model. Why wouldn't she be? She's the woman that carried my fat butt around for nine months and still had the strength to bring me into the world. Although we have our rough patches (I don't know a single mom and daughter who don't), she's still one of my best friends. I'm very thankful to have such an open relationship with my mom. I pretty much tell her everything, from boyfriends to fights with friends and all the ugly stuff in between. Even though it's not always stuff she wants to hear, I know she still appreciates my honesty and is grateful that I am comfortable enough to share so much with her. I've known girls who don't have a very strong relationship with their mothers, and it makes me sad. I see these girls full of insecurities and they trust between them and their parents is harshly broken. It's so important to be able to trust your parents, and for them to trust you.You may break their trust sometimes, I know I have, but I've come to find that the relationship between me and my is stronger now.

My mom has been through so much. With a husband in the military, she's had to raise two kids alone for several months at a time. I know she felt very alone sometimes, and I know how hard things must've gotten, but she powered through. Because of that, I believe that my mom can endure anything. I get to watch her live her dream now, as she opens her very own business after going through years of culinary school, painful jobs and long hours. I'm so thankful to stand by such a powerful woman. I'm thankful to be able to call her my mom.

Okay, I'm getting teary-eyed. Let's move on.

Your role models don't really have to be family members. My English teacher is extremely influential in my life. Well, she was my English teacher last year. Now, I get to see her for an hour and 45 minutes every day in my school's newspaper class. This woman is like a second mom, but she mostly listens to me talk about my future. I want to be a high school English teacher, just like her. I told her this last year, and she shook her head and said, "I don't recommend it." This puzzled me. I asked her if she regrets her career. She told me she didn't, but she also informed me on the current struggles teachers are facing with school boards, salaries, and the government. Her honesty and guidance has meant so much to me. Although she advises me not to, she still encourages me to follow my heart. I told her once that I would become a teacher just to spite her! That made her laugh… I've never had a teacher like her. I've seen her inspire some of the most stubborn kids. Students with poor grades and painful histories turn around when they leave her class. I've seen several of them return after graduating just to say hey and even thank her. She's so personal with her students, making sure they're safe, happy, and most of all, learning. I'm so grateful for her kindness and amazing advice. Mrs. Fletcher, if you ever read this, I just want you to know that I'm not kissing up, I swear!

I can't stress enough how important it is to have an influential woman in your life. Moms, teachers, family friends; they all have advice to give, because believe it or not, they've gone through a lot of what we're going through. Life is hard sometimes. It's nice to have someone taking the journey with you, holding your hand along the way.

Thank you to the people who make a difference in the lives of young women.

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