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My mother and my father were very nurturing and wonderful examples of how to live your life.

I'm lucky to attribute my success to the foundation my family gave me. I've always felt grounded in them.

My mother was the influence in my life. She was strong; she had great faith in the ultimate triumph of justice and hard work. She believed passionately in education.

I had phenomenal parents. They kept me very grounded, and I lived a normal life.

My father in his way influenced me and my sister to educate ourselves and to try to do things in life.

My mother was a great inspiration to me to always do my best. My father has always been my mentor and friend. They taught me the basic principle that guides most all that I do: faith, focus, finish.

My parents - my mother, particularly - were very focused on our succeeding. I loved my parents, and was very grateful to them for everything, and I didn't want to disappoint them.

I didn't have anybody, really, no foundation in life, so I had to make my own way. Always, from the start. I had to go out in the world and become strong, to discover my mission in life.

My parents, who were split up, were so good at keeping my environment strong and keeping everything around me not focused on the fact that we were poor. They got me culture. They took me to museums. They showed art to me. They read to me. And my mother drove two hours a day to take me to University Elementary School.

I watched my mom and dad build everything that matters - a family, a home and a good name.