My Mum Is A Literal Superwoman

Everybody says their mum is the best in the world.

But I have to say my umma (‘mum’ in Korean) is the most special. That's because she is a literal superwoman.

Our family migrated from Korea when I was aged six. Luckily for us, my little sister and I learnt English and settled into Australian society pretty quickly. However, my mum, who had never left Korea before then, had difficulty adapting to a new and unfamiliar place. The journey was a big step for her, having to now provide a living for two energetic and curious girls in a place where she knew no one and no one knew her. Yet, she still continued, knowing that the future was better for her two girls in Australia.

Being young, I didn't realise how hard it would have been for my mum at the time. I was just so excited about living in Australia and getting to know completely different people. Despite her poor English skills, she and my dad managed to settle us down in a quiet, suburban town in Melbourne where I met so many friends that I still keep contact with. My childhood was near to perfect.

However, from being a teacher in Korea, my mother is now a house and office cleaner, which demands a lot of physical work. Her hands are cracked and tainted from cleaning chemicals and her face has become dramatically thin over the years from the demanding work. Yet, she never complains about her pains, but encourages and supports us continuously.

I cannot describe how much respect I have for her. Despite her work and age, she still takes care of the household, makes sure our schoolwork is up to date and, on the weekends, takes us out for bushwalking or to the beach, even though she needs rest. She says our childhood memories are more important than her own health.

This woman is continually tired from her physical job, has two high school daughters who are not yet mature enough to do everything by themselves, runs a household while working, and yet, her first priority is to give her girls all the happiness they could have.

I am a daughter who has trouble expressing her feelings, but I love and respect my mum more than anybody in the world. She is a true superwoman, my number one role model and the best mother a girl could have. I know umma loves me; she has sacrificed her own life to ensure my happiness. She is one person in the world that will truly trust and believe me when nobody does. She is my best friend. She is my mum. That's what makes her so special. I love you; love you as much as the sky and the ground. Happy Mother's Day, my hero.

Congratulations to Lena for winning this writing challenge, answering the question: What Makes Your Mum Special? Lena wins a $500 Mother’s Day prize pack, which includes: 1x $100 eFragrance Voucher, 1x $100 Paula' s Choice Skincare Voucher, 1x $100 iSubscribe Voucher, 1x $100 Galibelle Voucher, 1x $50 Hat and Fashion Voucher and 1x $50 Westfield Voucher Westfield gift card. For your chance to win, check out our latest writing challenges in our Comps section. Also, be sure to follow this guide on how to win the writing challenge!