The person that inspires me the most... it has to be my mother. She, quite frankly, is a legend (and will probably hate the fact that I am writing this article, she has never been one to talk about herself too much!). She is also my hero!
Now, why does she inspire me? Well, she is now in her 70s (sorry mum) and today, I came home, feeling exhausted - which I am always blaming on my age! Yet, somehow, although older than me, she still does exciting stuff.
To give a bit of a background, I am the eldest of 10 children. She raised us all, and to be honest, did a spectacular job (yes, I know I am one of her kids, so not saying we are all perfect! Hehehe!). Yes, we are all grown now, but she still looks out for us all in different ways, and never says she doesn't have time for one of us. She always makes time if we need her.
She was there for me when I went through my nice 'teenage rebellion' age (and yes, I look back now, and I was a nightmare!), she was there for me when I fell pregnant before I got married, she was there for me when I needed help raising my son, she was there whenever I had problems in my life. More to the point, even with nine other children to look after, she was still always there, and not only for me, but for all the others as well.
She is originally from the UK, but has lived in Australia for over 40 years now, married an Australian, and although I know she has moments where she would like to be able to live closer to her brothers and sisters, she has always put us kids first.
Now she is 'granny' to many grandkids (sorry, can't remember how many now, but it is A LOT!). She does the same for them, she is always there for them.
She has always been a very selfless person... cares about others (sometimes too much! She needs to think of herself more!)
When she turned 60, she did a parachute jump out of a plane (I am too frightened to do that, but hoping I will gain some 'guts' when I get a bit older!!). I thought that was legendary!
A few years ago, she retired from work, and moved close to one of my sisters in a tiny little town on the south coast of NSW in Australia.
In that time, she has done many things, including joining a caring group to help others (thankfully she has stopped this now!) and done so many other things... but the thing that floats my boat....
She joined a drumming group awhile ago. Yes, now she has her own drum, and drums away every Tuesday night.
Today - she emailed me to tell me she now owns a xylophone - she said:
'I have also bought myself a xylophone (why, I hear you ask) because I got interested in playing one that we have in the drumming group that I go to on Tuesdays'
All I can say is WOW!!
Yes, she might be slightly older that what we would expect to be considered a MAGS - but let me tell you... I am sure she does a lot more than some others out there who are younger than her!
So, mum - I don't think you realise how much of a legend you are, I don't think you realise how inspiring you are.
In a world where we never say these things enough...I want to say thank you
You are my hero.
Mags xxx
This article was first posted on middleagedgirls.com