America Deserves A Raise

I want to start by giving honor to all the nominees including my mother, who represent the human spirit that triumphs over adversity and hardship. My mother belongs in this category of people, who make the best of the situation, and exert effort to overcome the challenges. In addition to the admiration that ensues because of her exhibition of these remarkable qualities, there is also a beautiful poem by Edgar Allan Poe that captures the essence of my sentiment. He says;
“Because I feel that, in the Heavens above,
The angels, whispering to one another,
Can find, among their burning terms of love,
None so devotional as that of “Mother,””
My mother’s peaceful life was interrupted by a sudden war that forced her to leave everything she’d worked for behind. She started from scratch in America twelve years ago. Three and half years ago, my mother decided to open up a business, and she invested all she and my father had in the business. Unfortunately, the restaurant business has come and washed away everything.
In its wake, it has left my mother in dire financial situation, and has eroded her health- specifically the ligaments in her knees. The construction of the restaurant took a year, during which time all the money was finished, and my mother had to become involved in the construction as well.  She then became the only cook and dishwasher, because there was no money to get outside help. She has been going without break for the last three and a half years. She has been forced to be on her feet for more than twelve hours per day, seven days straight.
This is the most unrewarding three and half years of her life. She has swollen knees, and the Ibuprofen she is taking cannot work.  If she stops, the sky will fall on their heads. The downturn of the economy has been disastrous to the business. She has no insurance and she can’t get a good doctor. She has been unable to afford the tests that have been prescribed, to determine the cause of the swelling.
The heat from the stove and the grill is hard on her pretty face. She is like a desert rose that withstands the heat, and still manages to thrive. I wanted her to join this league of nominees, because she has the same triumphant human spirit that doesn’t give up despite the odds. She exhibits marvelous staying power, perseverance, and hope. Looking optimistically to the future, she gives her time to activities that promote children’s education, and youth empowerment in her community.
It seems fitting that I should include her story in “America deserves a raise” because it connotes a second chance for a better opportunity. Coincidentally, my mother is also becoming American citizen this summer. I hope that the advent of this new identity will usher in a serendipitous and sunny time in her life.