Let me introduce you to my mother. She was a person to admire in so many ways. She always looked her best, every hair in place, makeup perfect, clothes just right. Of course, it helped that she was beautiful and had a perfect figure, even as she aged. She had a smile and laugh that made you want to join in. Age didn’t slow her down. 

She loved to travel. She was at her best when she traveled. Her back hurt, but it didn’t slow her down. Her philosophy was “I hurt no matter what I do, so I might as well be somewhere fun as at home”. She knew her limits, but she also looked for adventure. Once another lady passed away while they were on a trip to Las Vegas. Mother said, “At least the lady had fun right to the end of life”. 

She always looked to the future. She liked to have the newest things. She was the first to have a large screen television. She was an early adopter of a home computer. She really enjoyed using it. She would get trip ideas by going online. 

I think these things kept her young at heart. 

Our last trip together was to Niagra Falls. Four of us went: Mother, my sister, one of my daughters, and me. We had a blast! Mother was 81 years old. One night we had a fire alarm and all of us, including Mother, walked down six flights of stairs. Thank goodness, it was a false alarm. Afterwards, Mother said next time she would let a good looking fireman carry her down the stairs. 

A month later, Mother became ill and had to go to the hospital. For the first time, I really saw how older people are often treated. My sister and I had to keep telling people that she was physically and mentally capable of making her own decisions. One day when the doctor was in her room, he kept talking to my sister and me about her condition. Finally, Mother said to him, ” I’M RIGHT HERE. TALK TO ME.” And he did. She made all her decisions about her health care, even after she went to hospice. 

Finally, we learned that she had pancreatic cancer. I will always remember her saying, ” There are still so many things I want to do.” I also thought we would have more time together. She was barely 82 years old.  I miss her, but whenever I travel, I carry her in my heart. 

Mother was an inspiration to me. I want be like her as I age-able to move forward toward the future, not stay in the past.  

Hopefully, my mother’s story will inspire you as well.