Do you ever wonder who your role model or mentor is? Allow me to share with you my personal story.
Life is a winding path full of unexpected twists and turns, and sometimes, we need someone to turn to during those tough times. Someone we respect and admire, whose values and actions we can emulate.
This may sound like a cliche, but for me, that person is my mum.
The bond between me and my mum wasn't always as strong as it was at the end. Our relationship had its ups and downs, especially when I was a teenager, but over time, it grew stronger, especially when I started my own family.
My mother was born before the Second World War, and growing up, she faced a difficult environment with limited opportunities, full of uncertainties, and a lack of a clear vision for the future. Despite these adversities, my mother developed an incredible zest for life, curiosity, and learning from an early age.
She was always the best student in her class, loved literature and languages, and pursued her passion for learning throughout her life. Even in her 80s, she learned to use computers, mobile phones, and Skype and remained up-to-date with the latest technological advances.
After my brother was born, my mother became a full-time homemaker and devoted her life to raising a family, running two households, and looking after my dad. Although this full-time occupation prevented her from pursuing her professional career, she never gave up on her dreams.
My mum may have been small in her physique, but she was tremendously resilient and enormous in her spirit and soul. She taught me that hard work, determination, perseverance, and a positive attitude are the keys to personal success and inner happiness.
My mum passed away in 2020 at the age of 96, but her spirit lives on. Even a few days before she died, she was telling me about the latest book she read and how much she enjoyed it, proving that her mind was sharp and her intellect strong until the last day.
Her legacy continues to inspire me every day. Whenever I face an obstacle or a low point in my life, I imagine how my mum would handle the situation. Her unwavering determination and resilience inspire me to keep going, no matter what.
My mother was not just a role model or mentor to me but she was also an artist. She wrote film reviews, painted beautiful pictures, was a talented dressmaker, and loved books, theater, and music. Her love for the arts and her passion for learning have always been a source of inspiration for me. Her legacy reminds me that life is a canvas, and we are the artists. We should strive to create something beautiful, something that will inspire and uplift others, just like my mother did.
As my mum would say, remember that with hard work, perseverance, and a positive attitude, anything is possible!
So, choose to be inspired, choose to be an artist of life, just like my mum was.
Happy Mother's Day, Mum. Your spirit lives on in me and I am thinking of you!
As a tribute to my mum, I painted her portrait as a young woman. In every brushstroke, I see her youthful beauty, her vibrant spirit, and her unwavering determination shining through.
