While my regular trainer was away on honeymoon, her replacement was a strapping young man who felt he had to keep reminding me that at 22, he was still a spring chicken.
Why? I’m not quite sure but I let him gloat.
I was getting ready to do 150 kg leg presses when I decided to tell him that I was exactly 20 years older than his sprucey self.
“Well, I never!” he said in his thick Yorkshire accent.
Not entirely sure whether that response indicated that he was pleasantly surprised or overtly shocked.
Either way, I wasn’t ashamed.
I am 42. So what? The weights machine agreed my legs aren’t any weaker for it.
If there’s anything I’ve learned since diving into this new decade, age is an attitude. It’s only an issue if you make it one.
My mum turns 80 in less than a month. Her and dad resigned from their night shift jobs at Australia Post only last year but she’s hung onto her cleaning job. God forbid you ever take that away from her.
When I look back on her life, I noticed that my mum never let age be an obstacle.
In her 30’s, she faced challenges as a single mum of 2 toddlers. It was the 60’s in a politically and socially unstable Indonesia. Somehow she survived it as a kitchen hand.
Her 40’s she began a new life in Australia, leaving family and friends behind as well as her credentials as a senior secretary.
Employed as a 9 to 5 Australian Post officer didn’t completely fulfil her search for opportunities in the new country, my tenacious mum made Indonesian spring rolls on the side, selling them to all interested delicatessens and small food retailers throughout Canberra.
It took me ages to get over my aversion to spring rolls.
My mother has done so much and keeps doing more that I can’t believe she’s about to reach her 9th decade.
To me, she’ll always be invincible. There are no major signs this lady’s slowing down. And most of all, she’s shown me that it’s not the age that counts, its what you do in those years.
A number has never stopped her. Why would it stop me?
Joining Essentially Jess for IBOT
Lee-Anne says
I love this post and its celebration of age or more specifically, not ever being ageist. (beautiful photos, Grace!)
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Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me says
A number will never stop me either. I’ve never been phased about birthdays, I don’t get why people are so sad about them! Each year we are alive in cause for celebration!
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Druime @SnippetsandSpirits says
Needed to read this today as I celebrated getting older this week. Your mum looks so young. It is all about your attitude though.
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lidya says
You look so much like your mum in the picture and yes I agree that your mum looks so young! Can’t believe that she’s 80. Awet muda sekali!
mamagrace71 says
Terima kasih, lidya! x
Cybele says
Awesome post. For me, I’m now relating to the quote – inside every older person is someone wondering how it happened x
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Denise says
I love this post (well I’m 43 so I would). I also really love your mum, what an awesome lady!
Denise recently posted..How to say what needs to be said (and nothing more)
Alicia says
Wow you’re parents are champions. Good on them and good on your mum.
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tahlia - the parenting files says
age is just a number. Never be defined by a number. Awesome mum you have xx
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Amy @ Three Little Honeys says
I love this post!
Age IS just a number! Im a young mum and so have always feared the judgement from this!
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Michelle@myslowlivingadventure says
That was a beautiful post. Age schmage. I love it when people live like young people well into old age. That’s my plan.
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Kathy says
Wow – your Mum is such a strong woman – how fantastic to have her as your role model and you are taking right after her (although if you don’t want to work into your eighties that’s ok too!)
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Rita @ The Crafty Expat says
Beautiful post and this is so true Grace. You’re only as old as you feel they say. Your mum is quite an amazing lady.
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EssentiallyJess says
What an incredible woman!
My mum just turned 70 and she is still working. I think she will keep going as long as they will have her, which will be a while yet. Nothing stopping her. 🙂
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Becci Birdy Num Num says
You’re absolutely right, Grace. You always find those that are young at heart live their lives with no regret. Or as my Mum used to say (she lived to 86 and partied all the way), you’re only as young as the man you feel. 😉
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Bec @ Seeing the Lighter Side of Parenting says
Good for you! And still working at 80? Wow!
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Mark says
I couldn’t agree with you more. Age is just a number. I just wish I’d studied harder at school so I could figure out subtraction.
A score or so off would be really nice.
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Robo says
I love Love LOVE this post, Grace! We should always honour the women of that generation – they are unique and unable to be matched in so many ways. The original Girl Power.
Your trainer sounds like my trainer… That old disco hit from the nineties, The Floor, came on the other day and I asked him if he’d heard it before… Of course he looked confused and said no. 😉
Keep smashing that gym girl!
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Lisa@RandomActsOfZen says
Your mum is fabulous Grace! When I was in my 20s I thought 50 was old, but now that I’m here…..no way!! x
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Lydia C. Lee says
ThaT’S lovely – I’m sure you showed your mum. She’d love it!
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Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life says
Such a lovely post! Age is just that — a number. In the end, it’s your attitude towards life that matters. Your mum is amazing as are you… 🙂
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Pinky Poinker says
What a great lady your Mum sounds. What a role model. No wonder you turned out so great 🙂
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Kylie Purtell says
You’re only as old as you feel I reckon! Some days I still feel like I’m 23, other days I feel like I’m 63 (damn feet!). But I don’t believe age can be a barrier to anything, except for maybe driving, at a certain point, and that’s really about the safety of others than anything else, although I don’t know how I will handle it when the time comes and they tell me I have to stop driving!
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Becky from BeckyandJames says
I love this Grace. I’ve never really worried about age but recently, I have felt somewhat weighed down by how old I am and how much I have not achieved. This post was perfectly timed, thank you.
Min@MinsMash says
Gorgeous post Grace! Your mum does not look her age at all! I’ve had to get over the age thing and worrying about getting older. Yes – I used to freak out about it. As you know, I’ve recently turned 50. I think it is a privilege to grow older. Not everyone has the opportunity. The number does not make you old. It is how you think that determines your age … and your health! 😉 x
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Stephanie says
So right about age being an attitude! You mum does sound formidable! Trust exiting birthday plans are on the cards for her!
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Lisa Wood says
Go Grandma/Mum. What an inspirational lady!
David’s Grandad used to say all time “Use it or lose it” – he walked everyday no matter what even in his 90’s. Only when he lost his eyesight did he slow down, even then he tried to keep his mind active.
Love how much your look like your Mum – beautiful xxx
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