How could I possibly be older than my mother?
It’s my 60th birthday as I write this. Birthdays can make us reflective and this one certainly has made me so.
I’m thinking about what my mother was like when I was born.
And what would she be like at the age I am now?
It’s very strange to me that I think of my mother as someone so much YOUNGER than me! I’m 15 YEARS older than my mother ever was!
She never went through menopause or got gray hair! She was never called Grandma or Granny, or any version of grandmother names because her first grandchild was born 10 months after she was gone!
I could teach my young mother a few things!
This week, I spoke with a group of women this week about parent relationships…
The women who had lost a parent ALL expressed a sense of fear or dread as they had approached the age that the parent died. And I remember experiencing that same thing! Interesting, isn’t it?
But now, I’m just so much older than Mom! And I wonder…
Would my mom have been a good grandma? At what age, would she have gone through menopause? Would she have been active? Healthy? Played golf into her 80’s? How wrinkled would she have been?
After being around so many seniors, what would I teach my mom? My best advice to my young mom would be:
- Take care of yourself when you’re younger because you’ll appreciate that kindness to your brain and body in your later years!
- Exercise and stay active!
- Eat well – not all the time – but most of the time!
- Find the people who love YOU the most and offer your love and appreciation as often as possible!
- Appreciate your own parents, because, in just a blink, they can be GONE!
I still love you, Mom! Thank you for the day I was born!
Your turn… Feel free to comment below!
Are you older than your parents?
Do you remember dreading that you were approaching the age your parent passed away?
Do you want to offer your own appreciation for your parents?
If you still have your parents and are struggling with giving care, there is a national program that can help. Learn more by clicking here to watch this interview by Aging Gracefully TV.
Hi Kathryn! First of all, happy birthday and a very Merry Christmas. I was fortunate enough to have both my parents live well into their eighties but, even then, there is such a void when they are gone. I can only imagine what it must have been like to lose your Mom at such an early age. The theme you drive home is so poignant, exercise, stay active, and cherish the people you love!
You summed it up so beautifully, Klaus. It’s wonderful that you were able to appreciate your parents for so long. Happy holidays to you, my friend!
This was a very touching piece.
Thank you, Michele. Glad you liked it!