Uncommon Legend

My stubborn will to never quit

As a child, my mom taught me the lesson that will always ring in the back of
my head. “Son, people can only give you two answers in life, yes or no.
However, if you tell yourself no before you as then you have already
failed.”

I heard this through my childhood and even more into my teenage years, but I
never actually listened until I got to college. I remember being told I
couldn’t try out for my cheer team at MGCCC unless I had permission from the
Dean of Students. Naturally, I thought the decision had been made for me. I
thought to myself, “Well, I guess I should give up!” But I heard mom
in the back of my head saying, I didn’t give up when I was carrying you in my
womb, so I never want you to give up on yourself. So, I swallowed my pride and
went to that office and gained permission to try out.

From that day forward, I no longer let anyone decide for me. If I failed, it
was because I gave everything I had. It would no longer be from my lack of
trying or trying to think for other people. I don’t know if my mom realizes
that I listened all those years ago, but I am so thankful she taught me that
lesson. It takes a strong woman to raise a hard-headed guy like myself, and I am
glad God chose her to be my mother.

This one was for you, mom. I’ll never quit anything because that’s what you
taught me!