There’s an established routine after morning gym sessions. I cross the road to the local Woollies, pick up a regular cappuccino from the barista as a kick-start to a chaotic day of work and twinions
It’s only $3 for a regular size and I always look forward to getting my 10th for free.
I get my caffeine fix, albeit an average one.
With the other café up the road, there’s always a shit fight just finding a park then a guaranteed 15 minute wait for your order…to be taken.
But if I could take coffee to heaven, it would be theirs.
After her nasty fall, I went to visit my Ma last weekend. Seeing the big, raw stitches on her chin, nestled under her swollen lips was not only confronting but also a stark reminder that despite her infallible strength and tenacity, my 80 year old Ma was yes, mortal too.
After spending 12 hours in the hospital and getting stitches, my mum was still up at the crack of dawn the next day at her happy place – in the kitchen.
She was busily preparing for lunch guests who were due in a few hours. No, a bunged up chin does not stop this woman.
While I would have usually taken the opportunity to argue with her that she needed to slow the duck down and rest, this time I knew it would be wasted breath.
Life’s too short to constantly row with your mother.
Let her do her thing; relish in watching her being happy doing it.
I went back to Sydney and Monday morning after going to the gym, I made a big decision: no more bad coffee.
Life’s too short.
And unfortunately, I can’t take coffee to the after-life.
Despite the trouble it takes to grab a cup, it’s here to be enjoyed now.
Kinda like the relationship with my mother.
Along with bad coffee and scratchy, cheap toilet paper, what’s something that you think life’s too short to have to deal with?
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Lydia C. Lee says
That’s a really lovely post, and also applicable to teens….(tho you do have to draw the line and get in their face more than you’d ever think!)
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..Coffee, Campari…
Haidee says
Bad coffee is totally mine too! Milky coffee is the worst where all it tastes like is milk with no hint of coffee at all! Ugh. Your mum sounds like my Nana, it’s in their blood I think and nothing we ever say will change it. Hope she recovers quickly!
Haidee recently posted..Food For Thought Friday: Selective OCD Traits
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen says
Yes, to the coffee Grace!
I’m kind of at the same place with my Mum, I don’t want to waste any more time arguing or disagreeing. Even though we’ve always clashed, now I try to hold my tongue and think before I speak.
Hope your Mum’s feeling much better x
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Deborah says
Crappy books and horrible people!
Lovely post BTW Grace. xx
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Amy @ Handbagmafia says
I’m with you on the coffee- life is far too short for the bad stuff. I love that you didn’t fight your mum and let her do what makes her happy- she sounds like quite a trooper! Hope the chin heals swiftly.
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Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages says
Oh yes, never ever drink bad coffee, I’d rather go without. And life is too short to hold a grudge, or read a bad book.
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Nikki@WonderfullyWomen says
Bad coffee is on the top of my list, along with stale bread and trashy magazines 🙂
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Pinky Poinker says
Your Mum looks so snuggly in that photo. I guess it’s cold down there now. Sigh. We’re still having 29 degree days. I agree, life is also too short for counting calories 🙂
Pinky Poinker recently posted..Should You Do More with Your Life?
Mum Of Five Girls says
Love this post Grace. Life is definitely too short for bad coffee and cheap toilet paper!!
Glad your mum is up and at it again !!
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Bec @ Seeing the Lighter Side says
Boring books! My husband persists in trying to finish books he doesn’t like as though it’s a competition. Life’s definitely too short for that! And I agree on the coffee unless I’m using it for medicinal purposes – then anything will do as long as it’s really strong!
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Kaz @ Melting Moments says
My mum is 79 and she’s a trooper too. They made them tough back in the day. I hope your mum mends quickly. Poor love.
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Mumma McD says
Life is too short to hold on to undies that give you wedgies or tights that constantly fall down. Straight in the bin!!
And yes, bad coffee 🙂
Mumma McD recently posted..Mid-week Mayhem AKA Shopping with a Toddler
Ingrid @ fabulous and fun life says
I’m glad your mum is up and about and able to return to her happy place, her kitchen! Life is too short and it’s a great philosophy to have to make the most of every moment!
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Natalie @ our parallel connection says
Yep hate a bad coffee and hate it when the barista burns the milk… Come on I’m not asking too much
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Ai Sakura says
Wow who has lunch guests over the next day after surgery?!! Your mum is such a strong lady!!
We need to let go and worry less of far too many things. Life is too short. I mentioned people who didn’t give you as much as you put into a relationship, but I’d also like to add in meaningless work, online trolls, uncomfortable shoes, blah food etc. 😉
Ai Sakura recently posted..Making Memories vs Capturing the Moments ♥
Tonia Zemek says
Beautiful post Grace. So glad your Mum is ok and, as for that coffee, you’re so right. You deserve the best so enjoy that brew. p.s. I’m impressed you go to the gym so regularly. I’ve not stepped inside a gym since 1815. I’m terrible!
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Raych aka Mystery Case says
Gorgeous post Grace. I’m not sure I’m in the right head space this morning to answer what life is too short for. Something for me to ponder over a decent cup of coffee.
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Sarah @ tomfo says
Oh I so agree Grace, totally get the best coffee and wine for that matter too, everything. What an awesome post, I hope your mum gets better soon, she’s worth more than all the best coffee in the world xxx
Sarah @ tomfo recently posted..Life’s important lesson’s can be learn’t with a fishing rod
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile says
How true Grace!!! I’m incredibly lucky to be so close to my mum and I certainly cherish that relationship! xx
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Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid says
I’m exactly the same with my mum. I’m headed back to the UK in a few weeks, and I’m just going to do whatever makes my mum happy, because life is too short (as is our time together) and the journey to the UK is too long to do anything else. And I’m with you on the coffee. I changed jobs and baristas and have been drinking pedestrian coffee for nearly 2 months. Every week on my day off, I run into the city to get my favourite coffee from my favourite barista, because you said it, life’s too short to drink bad coffee! Have an ace weekend xx
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Beck says
My Mum is 65 and has recently been quite ill. It is really confronting when you realise that your parents are human and not “super human” I hope your mumma is okay and that she heals well.
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EssentiallyJess says
I love this Grace. I’m not a fan of bad coffee either.
I think life’s too short to not do what you love. Seriously, we waste so much time on doing stuff that has no little importance and then make excuses for things that do. I say let’s just live it well.
EssentiallyJess recently posted..Dragons are not Cool- Confessions of a not-quite Grammar Nerd
Emma @ Life, kids and a glass of red says
Life is too short for bad wine, bad (and instant) coffee and bad chocolate!
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Erika @ EVER-CHANGING life of a mUm says
So true Grace. I’m a recent coffee convert and can definitely only drink the good stuff! For me, life is too short for worrying about things that are out of your control and spending time on people who don’t give you the same kind of love and respect in return. Let it go I say and focus on the good things and the people who mean the most to you. Sorry, I know that’s a bit deeper than coffee!
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Aleney says
After a bad fall my normally energetic and active 25 year old mother has aged rapidly. Sadly though, unlike your mother, she hasn’t decided to embrace the things she loves and is wallowing instead of enjoying the now. I’m going to send her your post to remind her that she has a choice to be happy 🙂
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Eva @ The Multitasking Mummy says
I’d have to say there’s nothing worse than having a craving for a really good and strong (I like strong) only to get one that tastes like warm milk with a hint of coffee. Me personally, and it’s a big one, life is too short to be in a job that pays really great money that makes you really unhappy. Just not worth it. I’d rather get paid half as much and be super happy.
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Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me says
Oh so sorry to read about your precious mumma having a fall, it’s not good as our precious parents age, they are so precious. A few years ago I decided that life was too short for bad wine, coffee and butter. Oh and fake friends can bugger off too! xx
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted..How ignoring my husband’s advice paid off.
Bec @ The Plumbette says
Bless your mum. I hope she recovers well from her fall. She reminds me so much of my grandma who wouldn’t let a fall stop her from entertaining and cooking. Although she now has dementia she constantly has to walk to do something. Seeing her this way and hearing about her from my dad reminds me that life is too short and our health – we can’t take it for granted. Go for the better coffee. Life is definitely too short. xx
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Robyna | The Mummy and the MInX says
I hope your mum recovers soon (and let’s herself recover!). Life is indeed way too short for bad coffee.
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Mary Denman says
Life’s too shot for bad toilet paper for sure!
I’m glad your mom is up and about. I wanted my mom to take it easier over the years, but that fight to keep doing things after her stroke kept her going for 11 years. Long past when the doctors thought was possible.
Life is too short to row with your mom. Enjoy every day you have with her. What I wouldn’t give for one more day with mine…
Live with no regrets. 🙂
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Denyse says
Oh Grace, so hard seeing Mum vulnerable isn’t it? But I know from you’ve written about Mum (and Dad) she would never see herself that way, Yep. life is too short for crap coffee… Denyse x
Denyse recently posted..10 Things That Make Me Happy. 170/365.
Vicki @ Knocked Up and Abroad says
Woman of your mothers vintage are amazing how they just soldier on. Very little slows them down. My Nanna is precisely the same. Glad you could be there with her and seeing what’s important right now x
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Emily says
I’m so glad your mum is okay Grace. It must be confronting to suddenly see her as frail. Love your sentiment. Life’s too short for bad books and crap movies. And bad fish’n’chips. We’re on hols and just had a terrible batch. Chucked it out. Bleeuch.
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Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life says
Good to hear your mum is still getting up and about…the fall must have been scary for everyone though.
I agree with you that life’s too short for crap coffee. I also use that for crap books now…previously I used to struggle through bad books but I don’t bother any more. And it’s too short to worry about what other people think of me.
Take care Grace x
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