When you’re a kid you want to fit in with the crowd. You don’t want to stand out. I remember I used to watch shows like “Full House” and DJ would have Kimmy Gibbler sleep over all the time. I had friends who were allowed to sleep over their friends’ houses. Not this girl.

When some of my friends were allowed to go to the movies without adult supervision, at around age 10, I was not. I used to tell my mom it wasn’t fair because other kids’ parents let them do things I wasn’t allowed to. Her response always was:

“Es qué tú no eres del montón! Tú eres mía.”

           (You’re not a part of the bunch! You’re mine.)

At the time I detested that answer. I wanted to be part of the bunch! As I’ve gotten older these words have helped me more than I could have ever imagined. I’m very competitive and when you’re competitive you compare yourself a lot. I try to repeat these words to myself as much as I can.

I think back now and I laugh. I had no business sleeping over anyone’s house or going to the movies without adult supervision when I was 10. Not following the masses is always tough but in the end I’m grateful to have a mom who raised me to not be a part of the masses.

I’m not a part of the bunch. I’m my own person and I’m hers. Besides, I’m not trying to share her with anyone (besides my brother) anyways.

Victoria Moll-Ramirez is a broadcast journalist based in Atlanta, GA. She is originally from Miami, FL and had the great fortune of being raised by the sassiest, spunkiest, wisest, most hysterical Honduran woman in the world. Victoria’s mother, Bélgica, is 60-years-old, resides in Little Havana (Miami) and enjoys a good margarita accompanied by a heartrending ranchera. Victoria blogs about her mom’s funny and wise sayings on, “In My Mother’s Words.”