S. Bennett
Susan Bennett, Sue Bennett, Mrs. Twigs, or Mom, as I know her. This is my first blog post, dedicated to my mother, for her constant support and encouragement, which has shown me that I can do anything I set my mind to in life. As soon as I begin to reflect on what my mother means to me, I become instantly emotional (a reaction I often experience) because I am incredibly lucky to be loved by someone as truly amazing as her.
To provide some context, my mom had me at the age of 42, which is significant because her own life story—before my older sister and I arrived—is one I deeply admire. If I were to detail my mom’s fascinating life, it would span thousands of pages, so instead, I’ll highlight a few things that have stood out to me.
First and foremost, something that I’ve inherited from her is her ability to connect with people. The web of lives my mother has touched spans countries and decades. These friendships are remarkable—each individual unique in their own right, but all connected by her in some way. I believe this is part of the reason I am so curious about others. Growing up, and even now, I’m constantly surrounded by new stories. I’ve learned to listen and gather little tidbits about people’s lives, each one influencing mine in some way, whether consciously or not. People often forget the power of a story, especially when shared with those around you. You never know how it might change someone’s life. Every diverse perspective that’s shared helps me see life a little differently.
Separate from the incredible network of people my mom has built, her intrinsic desire to experience life is another reason I’m so grateful to have her. Her way of living has shaped how I view the world. She didn’t just want to establish a career; she also wanted to raise her children, build relationships, travel, read, write, and appreciate all the little day-to-day things that many people often take for granted.
Even as a child, my mother’s passion for her career and her drive to succeed shaped me. As a woman born in the 60s, the way my mother built her career not only demonstrates her intelligence and hard work, but also shows that it’s possible to truly love what you do—through trial and error. Sue Bennett is truly an all-star. She’s had a long and varied career working for multiple media companies, ultimately landing a unique role. I reflect on this often, especially in my own personal crisis of trying to understand my purpose in the working world. My mom inspires me to be a driven young woman, but she also reminds me that it’s okay not to have everything figured out. She teaches me to enjoy the little things, cherish friends, and trust that I will ultimately find my way. And even though I may be a naive 23-year-old, the words “You will be okay” are forever comforting.
I wanted to briefly express in words what my mom represents to me—she embodies everything I hope to be as a woman. She is a caring human being and, at her core, a bright, spunky girl. What I value most as her daughter is how she makes me feel: special, smart, unique, curious, and, above all, valued. As a human being, that’s all anyone can ever truly want to feel, and I’m constantly in awe of how lucky I am to experience that.
Sue Bennett is my person—my pillar—that stands strong, even when life feels less than easy.
