Sixty
Today is my mother’s 60th Birthday. It’s a huge day in anyone’s life – a day when you can look back at your life, at everything you have achieved and a day when retirement is that much closer and where you finally get that orange card of pride – your free bus pass.
But in my head my mother is still in her early forties, mum to the young adult that I was. It’s funny how when you haven’t seen someone in so long they will always be how they used to be, how you last saw them and you don’t really think about people ageing or moving on.
I can’t imagine the mother of my youth being sixty, or even older. I can’t imagine her being a pensioner, doing the things older people do and being free of the restraints of work. But, when you haven’t seen someone in so long it’s hard to imagine anything, apart from what you knew and the person they were.
When I’m sixty I hope we can have a little party, probably just in our house, with our friends and family there. By that point LP and Little Man will be roughly the age I am now and might have families of their own. I hope that we are all as close as we are now, just with more people to include, and that I can look at my family, in my home and just appreciate the years that have gone by, the things I have achieved and the legacy I have made.
Sixty is no longer old age, and if anything it’s middle age, with so many people living until their nineties or older now, with people living long and healthy lives far longer than they used to. I was fine turning thirty and I’m sure I’ll be fine as each year ticks by and I hope, when I’m sixty that I’ll still have years left to enjoy life, to appreciate my family and to make even more memories – for me to cement in my mind and for the children, and their children, to remember me by when I’m gone.
Sixty. Such a grand age but also, no age at all. It’s a time when, traditionally, you can relax a little, wind down and enjoy life. I hope that however my mother spends the day that she has a lovely Birthday. If nothing else – I am here because of her and for that I am thankful.
A lovely post hunny. I can relate, my relationship with my mother has always been strained and, like you, I left home at a very young age. We’re currently not speaking.
I’m sure by the time you’re 60, you’ll still be surrounded by loving family, with a fair few grandchildren too xxx
When you’re 60 you’ll be surrounded by people that love you for definite xx
Lovely post Donna. It’s unusual to retire at 60 these days unfortunately, the state pension age for women is a bit older now so your mum’s life may not have changed a much as you imagine. It’s great that you accept your own age and you’re philosophical about it. I’m starting to feel a bit old, I was thinking yesterday that I’ll be 40 in three years time and for a lot of people that’s half way through their lives. Time to start living a bit more!
Nat.x
This is a lovely post Donna. I’m sure it took a lot for you to right and it shows just how mature and content you are with life. Loads of people would be bitter and full of hatred but I love how you’re just getting on with your life and allowing her to do the same. Funny how 60 no longer seems old isn’t it? xx