My Mother
By Imani Abdul-Rahman
Baking & Pastry
As a child I watched my mother cook all the time. She was extremely
creative and could make a delicious meal out of the most simple
ingredients. She never had any formal culinary training. However, if
she had the opportunity I’m almost certain that she would have
excelled in this industry. About 3 years ago she learned that she had
cancer. I witnessed her go from a healthy, beautiful and free spirited
woman to a person who was bedridden and almost unrecognizable. I
tried to make her as comfortable as possible within those hospital
walls. She loved the movie "Man on Fire" and there was a song from
the movie that she absolutely adored. It's called "Una Palabra" by
Carlos Varela. I believe the music soothed her. I'd play that song for
her over and over until she fell asleep.
My mom died one year after her diagnosis. Her death shattered me
into a million pieces. Then one day I started cooking and never looked
back. I enrolled into school for my High School Diploma and graduated
on August 1, 2015. I was one of two students that were chosen to write
a speech for graduation and of course I dedicated my speech to her.
My next step was enrolling into Carlos Rosario for baking and pastry.
For the first time in my life I feel as though I'm finally investing in
myself, nurturing my talents and a part of a community of people who
genuinely want to see me succeed. Carlos Rosario has been my safe
haven and when I'm in that kitchen I'm at peace. Although I’ll probably
always mourn my dearly departed mother, I dedicate everything that I
make to her. I know that she's with me in that kitchen and I know that
she's proud.
In Our Own Words 2016
47