My dad was able to become a doctor again in the US after leaving everything behind in India…all because of his one superpower:
MY MOM 😎
Dad worked in a factory for minimum wage to make ends meet. Mom wanted to stay home and take care of her 1-year-old (me!)
But one income wasn’t enough.
MOM ROLLED UP HER SLEEVES
She got a job at the same factory. She worked the night shift while dad did the day shift.
I was passed between them in the parking lot, in between shifts. Saved $$ on babysitting.
Dad tried to find time to study for his medical exams, but it wasn’t enough. He needed more time, but we couldn’t afford it.
MOM UPSKILLED
She started taking typing classes.
When everyone left after the 1-hour class, she stayed behind and practiced, sometimes for 5+ hours until her ride finished his shift.
As a result, she quickly got really good and landed a data entry job at Blue Cross. This new office job had better pay and many available overtime shifts…and she took every single one!
The result: Dad could now afford to be a full-time student.
Fast forward: Dad passed his exams(!), finished residency, and was ready to start his own office to practice medicine his own way.
But starting a new practice is not easy.
[queue the music 🥁]
Mom steps in…
MOM THE CEO + MANAGER + BILLER + SCHEDULER (& MORE)
→ She went door-to-door to bodegas + community organizations + housing projects to share news about the new doctor in town.
→ She knew every patient’s name, first and last. She got to know entire families over the years.
→ She ensured everyone got the help they needed: insurance for the uninsured, bus vouchers for those struggling financially, and more.
Needless to say, patients adored her.
And dad never had to worry about the back office, front office, contracts, bank accounts, payroll, or anything.
He just got to do what he loved: take care of his patients.
Our family always joked that mom could easily fire dad.
But not vice versa. Dad would be lost without her.
Dad finally retired last week after 30+ years of service…because of mom. She made all of his dreams possible.
She’s grit, humility, love, resourcefulness, and sacrifice personified.
She’s dad’s superpower. She’s his rock.
And always by his side.
#thankyoumom #womanpower #momboss
