Childhood memories often lie buried in a hazy fog, and those of my father are especially elusive. Having lost him when I was in first grade, I struggle to clearly recall even his face. All that remains is a faint recollection of running to greet him, shouting "Daddy's home!" when he returned from business trips.
My mother faced immense hardship raising us siblings alone. She worked a day job and ran a small business to put food on our table. Despite only having an elementary school education, which prevented her from directly guiding our studies, she always believed in us and managed to send us to good schools.
The education system in our country back then was quite different from today's. There were so-called "prestigious schools" from elementary through university, and I was fortunate enough to attend them. In those days, classes were divided into rankings - Class 1, 2, 3, and so on. I consistently found myself in the top-ranked classes, which earned me considerable praise from those around me.
Yet, I was far from a standout child. If anything, I was quiet and reserved. At church, I earned a reputation for being "good" simply by diligently carrying out my assigned tasks without fuss. It wasn't about doing anything extraordinary; my approach was to faithfully fulfill whatever role I was given.
Looking back, I believe this personality and attitude formed the foundation of my life. Perhaps the real secret to success lies not in being flashy, but in doing one's best in whatever position one finds oneself. If we persevere quietly in our respective places, the day will surely come when our worth is recognized.
While our childhood may not have been materially abundant, we learned invaluable lessons within those circumstances. The love and sacrifice of our parents, the importance of diligence, and the attitude of making the most of given opportunities - these are the things we absorbed. I'm deeply grateful for these values that have served as the bedrock of who I am today.
My mother faced immense hardship raising us siblings alone. She worked a day job and ran a small business to put food on our table. Despite only having an elementary school education, which prevented her from directly guiding our studies, she always believed in us and managed to send us to good schools.
The education system in our country back then was quite different from today's. There were so-called "prestigious schools" from elementary through university, and I was fortunate enough to attend them. In those days, classes were divided into rankings - Class 1, 2, 3, and so on. I consistently found myself in the top-ranked classes, which earned me considerable praise from those around me.
Yet, I was far from a standout child. If anything, I was quiet and reserved. At church, I earned a reputation for being "good" simply by diligently carrying out my assigned tasks without fuss. It wasn't about doing anything extraordinary; my approach was to faithfully fulfill whatever role I was given.
Looking back, I believe this personality and attitude formed the foundation of my life. Perhaps the real secret to success lies not in being flashy, but in doing one's best in whatever position one finds oneself. If we persevere quietly in our respective places, the day will surely come when our worth is recognized.
While our childhood may not have been materially abundant, we learned invaluable lessons within those circumstances. The love and sacrifice of our parents, the importance of diligence, and the attitude of making the most of given opportunities - these are the things we absorbed. I'm deeply grateful for these values that have served as the bedrock of who I am today.
