April 9/09. Assignment #1 – 10 mins of writing on life story of Mom
My mother was born in 1948. We arrived Canada in 1979. The 2 most important men in her life – her dad and her husband – died 6 months apart in 1982.
Being a widow at 34 with 4 children aged 6 to 14 years was not easy at all. Even though she was totally qualified to go on welfare back then, she chose to work hard instead because she didn’t want her kids to end up on the streets.
She was working as a chef 7 days a week in a Japanese restaurant in White Rock. The restaurant had customers lining up from 5 to 10pm everyday. It only took her boss a year to make enough money to set up a second location in North Delta.
A year after the 2nd location opened, her boss decided it was too much for him to handle. Therefore, he offered to sell it to her for zero down and zero interest as a form of saying thank you for all her hard work.
She got all her kids working there for 3 years until the restaurant was paid off. She then saved up 40K to buy her first lot in Surrey. She made her first 100K from that house then she bought more lots and built more houses in Surrey. When she had saved up enough, she started buying property in Van east side. She hired an Italian builder to build for her but he ran away with her money resulting in trades putting liens onto her house. She was really pissed off and decided that even with her limited English, she was going her own builder to avoid being ripped off again.
She was lucky to have a very talented son who had been winning awards for house designs ever since he was in high school. As a support to her son, she decided to build houses he designed. His designs were very unique and the houses were sold for high prices because they were considered custom-built homes. Real estate market got stronger and stronger. She sure didn’t give up any opportunity of making her share. It wasn’t long before she became a self-made millionaire.
She then helped her all 7 siblings with their first home purchase. It was through her help and support that resulted in the extended family living a comfortable life today. It was she who inspired her kids to become successful that they are today. She was a mentor for everyone in the family.
If there was an award for the world’s most amazing woman, mother, grandmother, daughter and sister all in one, then she would be the winner.
Assignment #2 – 5 mins of writing – If there was 1 thing about Mom’s life that she could change, what do you imagine it would be and why?
I think she would choose to date again sooner than 18 years after being a widow because of her belief in the fact that people who have partners are happier. However, if she did, then she would not have met Uncle Fred and she may not be as happy as she is now.
Even though she kept herself busy during those 18 years, I am sure she had her lonely moments. I am sure that when her kids made her mad or when things didn’t go well with work, she felt that it would have been nice to have someone to complain to or have a shoulder to cry on.
Assignment #3 – 5 mins of writing – If there was 1 thing about Mom’s life that you could change, what would it be and why?
I think I want her to be more selfish. She invested all her time and energy on her kids and her siblings that she didn’t have much left for herself. I think that because she has worked hard all her life, she deserves to treat herself better first before anyone else around her.
Assignment #4 – 5 mins of writing – What do you admire about this person and why?
I admire her intelligence, independence, her kind heart, her unselfishness towards her family and her willingness to sacrifice for her kids. I have a hard time picturing myself being a widow at 34 with no money and with 4 kids to support but still have the faith to continue living…
Assignment #5 – 5 mins of writing – What have you learned from this person?
From this person, I learned that people must have faith in themselves. People should not give up too easily. People should be responsible for every decision they make regardless of the outcome of that choice. I learned that finding motivation is very important in order to succeed in life. I learned the value of family. Without family, even if I have all the money in the world, my life would still not be complete….
Assignment #6 – 5 mins of writing – What would you like to tell this person that you never had?
I will tell her I love her more than anyone else in this world. I will thank her for everything she has done for us. I will tell her that I am very guilty for being the child who has given her the most headache ever since she was a teenager. I want her to know I have always acknowledged all the sacrifices she did for us. I will tell her that she truly is an amazing woman….