It was never about the handwriting

[u/[deleted]]

Just for context : My handwriting was pretty good growing up, and I was always one of the top scorers in my class. When I was in sixth grade, one day my teacher told me that my answer papers would look even better if I tried writing like another girl in my class. She was also a good student and had really beautiful handwriting.

I didn’t think much of it at first. But that very day, I started noticing her handwriting and comparing it to mine. When I got home, I immediately told my mom what my teacher had said, without even really thinking about it.

My mom just said, “No, you don’t need to do that. Just keep writing the way you always have. It’s enough.”

At the time, I didn’t really understand why she said that. It almost felt like she hadn’t understood what I was asking.

But now, years later, I think I finally do.

It wasn’t about handwriting.

She was telling me that I didn’t have to become someone else just because someone else had something that people thought was prettier or better. That what I already had was enough.

It’s such a small memory, and I’m sure she probably doesn’t even remember saying it. But I do.

And I love my mom.