I was sitting silently in my local courthouse, attempting to find something to occupy me while I watched my mom fill out a temporary restraining order. The silence was deafening; one breath felt enough to shake the room. I studied her face, but it was a blank canvas, which is odd for what had just happened.

During my elementary years, my mom was considered the "fun parent," the one who never bothered to argue when I wasn’t in the mood for vegetables. My dad, on the other hand, was always irritated about something. At times, it felt like he searched for reasons to get upset, almost as if peace made him uneasy. My dad was ex-military, which explained why he was stricter than other parents. However, he would tend to take things too far and forget that he was no longer a sergeant. If I had finished cleaning my room, but there was a scrap of paper on the floor, in his eyes, it would still be considered dirty.

Not only did the military change my father, but it also altered his relationship with my mother. The tension grew until everyone was miserable.

My mom decided to visit her lawyer. It felt like hours before she came out of the building, yet somehow there was still zero emotion on her face. At that moment, I couldn’t comprehend why she pretended not to be fazed by what had occurred earlier that morning, but now I do.

Similar to most kids, I had always thought of my mom as a strong, independent woman, but after everything, I was in absolute awe of her. I now understand why she put on a strong face for her kids, all the pain she had to endure alone, and how much she gave up for us. And even though she was utterly heartbroken, she acted as if she knew what she was doing to ensure we wouldn't worry, when in reality, she had no idea what was going to happen or what the next step would be. But she stood tall as her whole life crumbled apart.

Looking back at the sacrifices she made for us, I reflect on her strength whenever I face my own hardships, knowing that if she made it through, I can too. Her resilience and perseverance inspire me every single day, and remembering her as an example motivates me to keep pushing forward, regardless of the obstacles I encounter. Watching my mom stay strong in the face of fear taught me that being American is not about having a perfect life, but about refusing to give up on the people you love.

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