She’s the kind of kid you hear about in passing—ambitious, responsible, and unfazed by what others think is “too much” for her age. This summer, my youngest daughter—just 14 years old—is showing me every day what real determination looks like.
It started simply. She identified where she wanted to work, prepared a resume, and walked straight into the business. No phone calls, no hesitation—just quiet confidence. When those first attempts went unanswered, she didn’t step back. Instead, she called—not once, but twice—to ask if anyone had seen her resume yet. Hearing no, she still didn’t give up. She walked back in and asked again. Finally, a manager looked her in the eye and asked, “Do you have time now for a quick interview?” Her answer was immediate: “Yes.”
From that moment on, she had the summer job she had carved out with her own grit and impatience with waiting around.
Once hired, she settled into her role without complaint. Her tasks might seem ordinary to some—mopping floors, cleaning dishes and even toilets, taking out the trash, waiting on customers, managing payments, and crafting both coffee and smoothies. It’s not glamorous work. It’s messy and physical. But she approaches every task with a sense of purpose, as if each chore is one brick in the foundation of her future.
When she told me how she manages her earnings, it broke open my expectations. Seventy percent of everything she earns goes straight into savings toward becoming a doctor. Not college, not a car, not summer camps—becoming a doctor. That means long-term planning, discipline, and a maturity beyond her years. The remaining 30%? It’s savvy too: she’s investing in a new computer to support her schoolwork, and setting aside some fun—hangouts, snacks, moments with friends who are part of her journey.
I watch her at work. I see how she helps out a coworker who needs a day off. I see her make the hardest tasks look easy. I see her focus under what could be frustrating—no, uninspiring—work because she knows each small shift is part of building something bigger.
Every day, she reminds me that she’s leaning in—not just to her job, but to her future, her dreams, and her own unshakeable belief that she has what it takes. It’s not just a summer job. It’s a declaration: yes, I’m young—but I’ve got vision, follow-through, and enough drive to surprise even myself.
And me? I’m just proud—but also watching, learning, and hoping to someday catch the confidence I see in her.