My Mom: A True Transcendentalist

                My mom is undoubtedly a transcendentalist.  I could go on for pages and list all the ways she adheres to the philosophies promoted by Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson.  She is a definite individual!

                My mother is one of the only people I know who truly does not care what others think.  At Maire Elementary, where she teaches kindergarten, she is infamous for her winter coat.  When wearing this, she acquires the name “Nanook.”  My mom does resemble an Eskimo.  Full length, dull brown, with a fake suede western style top, this coat is possibly one of the ugliest items of clothing I’ve ever seen.  Even when it was purchased in 1987 (not exactly the height of fashion), it was considered unstylish.   Nevertheless, she proudly sports this item of winter wear on the brutally cold days when she is unlucky enough to have recess duty.  It makes her happy by keeping her warm, and to her, that’s all that matters.  This is an example of her doing things for herself, and ignoring other’s opinions. I’m sure she would wear it in public too- if only I let her. 

                Transcendentalists, such as Thoreau and Emerson, strongly advocated the idea of being a nonconformist.  They thought people should adhere to their personal beliefs, and not let external forces influence them.  My mom definitely marches to the beat of her own drum.  She has had the same cell phone since 2003.  Despite my constant efforts to convince her to be more “hip” and “modern” and invest in a new device, she refuses.  This is not because she is stuck in her ways, but simply because she feels her phone suits her personal needs.  My mom wants to be able to communicate efficiently, and nothing else.  She respects and admires the recent technological advances made, but knows fancy gadgets just aren’t for her.  Despite the abundance of commercials, billboard, newspaper, and magazine adds advertising sleek and shiny new phones, she does not give in to societal pressures for the mere sake of fitting in.  By doing this, she is staying true to herself:  the very essence of transcendentalism.