Women who inspire

My mother is my hero.

Mum had me when she was 20 years old. She was in what most would consider her prime- having already travelled the world alone when she was 18 (after working at 3 cafes to save the money), she was studying English, French and History at Melbourne University and training hard with the athletics team, state Volleyball team and tennis team. A rare mix of bookish arts student and incredible athlete… she was making huge decisions between offers from her coach to train with her for the Olympics and focusing on her humanities centred studies.

All of a sudden, a third choice appeared. That’s me.

I am forever grateful to her for dropping everything for me, and also to my grandparents, who supported my mother and I and helped her return and finish her degree- to go on to work in publishing and then teaching.

From that I learnt it’s ok to take a risk, to let things go sideways, although I acknowledge not everyone has this level of support… so it has also taught me not to take things for granted, and to try to support other women where I am able as well.

Fast forward 7 years and mum met her German husband to be, Jorg.

Early in their marriage they were young and they were poor and they were brave. They had my little baby sister Mary while Jorg was still studying business at night school.

They’d moved to the Emerald, Victoria… up in the hills, too far for mum to keep her teaching job with a new baby and an 8 year old, too far to get babysitting help from the family.

I remember in those early years, mum volunteering to teach at my school, starting a playgroup for the local mothers one she realised they didn’t have one yet… and the thing I remember most was her dedication to visiting the elderly in the community. She would take Mary (and sometimes me) along to the local nursing home, but she also had a few special older friends she would visit with such dedication. They knew she would be there each week with her beautiful little baby and any little bits they needed. Sometimes that was simply a bunch of flowers from the garden. (My sister Mary now works in aged care- maybe not a coincidence!)

That was just the beginning of an unbelievable journey, a story of survival and abundant love. My mother had 8 more children. She and Jorg gave me four sisters and five brothers. The most beautiful aunts and uncles to the daughters I have now.

Any time I feel as though I can’t do something… as if it’s all too much… I just think of my heroic mother. And most of the time call her for instant encouragement and understanding.

I was old enough to witness her work over these years, the sacrifices she made- based on the solid values she had and never wavered from. Whatever happened- she was going to pour out all of her love for us kids, every last drop.

Apart from the traditional studies mum did, I am completely inspired by her life- long hunger for learning. She has never stopped self- educating, and never will.

I don’t know anybody so well read- nor someone so humble about that fact.

Mums life hasn’t been based on the desire for external praise- as much as it could have been with her gamut of talents. She’s a gutsy but gentle no bullshit, intelligent woman who is the warmest person you will ever meet. Like me- she loves a good whinge but more than that she loves a wine and a good semi hysterical, almost wet your pants kind of laugh. She prays and she parties.

My mother is my kind of lady.

I am so blessed to have her.

Anna Cordell