When you think of people in their 70s, you may conjure up an image of technophobe old people and white-haired grandmas who play canasta for exercise or scoot around the mall in Rascal Mobility Scooters. Instead, I want you to picture the 71 year-old I know best.
She is the first one in the pool.
She can bench press me under the table.
Her emails are worth saving with subject lines like FW: Anne Carson’s “Gnosticism V” and See What’s Getting My Goat Today
She has never forwarded me a “Bill Gates will send you a million dollars” email, and only once sent me a chain letter (but I forgive her).
Her coffee is too strong for Russian wrestlers.
She didn’t camp out in Zucotti Park with the Occupy Wall Street kids, but she did bring them pizzas.
She still sends handwritten cards but has an app collection that makes her iPad the envy of the third grade.
The only time she colors her hair is with a big pink streak–and then offers a matching one to her granddaughters.
Botox = no.
Her favorite poem for years was When I am an Old Lady I Shall Wear Purple–until those red hat people co-opted it and made it corny. Now she sticks with black a lot, like a good New Yorker should.
She does not own a Hummel figurine, an appliqued Christmas sweater or a commemorative spoon.
She is not profane but she will tell me secretly on the side just who should fuck off. Or worse. And she is right.
She saves every piece of artwork her grandkids make, only not on the refrigerator. I don’t think she even has a refrigerator magnet.
Not only does she understand what blogging is, she is doing it herself.
She is a dream travel companion. Even when we’re lost. Even when we’re lost in Galicia.
I’m jealous of her triceps.
She was the first to march against the illegal war in Iraq after 9/11 and she’d do it again.
She will drive 2 hours in the snow to see her granddaughters because when she makes a commitment, she makes a commitment.
She is still reinventing herself with a brand new career just as she embarks on her eighth decade on this planet.
She is learning French right now.
She will hug you the first time she meets you.
You could tell her that 71 is the new 31 and she’d laugh. Then tell you she’s just fine being 71.
Happy 71st birthday to an amazing mother, grandmother and friend. I want to be you when I grow up. Fortunately, we share the same genes so I might be so lucky.
The magic of living is that each thing we are is us, not the thing/age/qualifiers.
Amazing, she is.
Your mom is so awesome. I love how she has struck that perfect balance of being inspirational without being competitive or inducing jealousy (triceps not withstanding).
So sweet. 🙂
You and your mom are lucky beyond words. Thank you for sharing your love for her, it is a beautiful thing to see.
Thank you all so much. And yes, we are lucky.
Have just seen your mother’s documentary teaser. I didn’t realise you had such problems over in your country too. We had one day teachers’ strike last week in our state (public) schools over pay, pension schemes and jobs. She looks like a real gem. Please read my latest post on the remarkable Mary Berry – another inspirational person who you may or may not have heard of. Your comments about your Mom’s commitment reminded me of how Mary turned down an offer of lunch with theQueen.
Thank you Jo! I’d love to check it out.
Nancy is a rock star. But no surprise considering you are one too.
Amazing. I think I’m in love.
Goosebumps. Love this. Happy Birthday to your awesome mom!
I’m in the fortunate position to have an awesome mom in her 70s as well, and read this whole list with a smile.
Your mom rocks. Just donated to her documentary effort. Keep up the amazing work–both of you.
With a talent as big as yours and a memory to beat the band, Hysteria should be my name today. Actually, it is. Thank you, Liz. Thank you.
xo
I love your mom so hard just reading this. And, the apple clearly doesn’t fall far from the tree.
It’s the pink hair that kills me. And the fact that I think you two went together to Bosnia to help after the war, right?
I love it!
Last Christmas, my brother, his daughter, my sons, and I all wrote on slips of paper things we thank my mom, 75, for. One of the things my boys wrote was, “Thanks for teaching us how to spit long distance.”
Yep. That.
What a role model. In awe of you both for having each other to make dreams turn into reality.
So, so sweet. 🙂
“She’s the first in the pool.” That’s all I need to see. That’s the kind of 71 year old I want to be — and the kind of 50 year old I hope I am.
Cool. Both of you.
Can I be your mom when I grow up? (Mine, though lovely and does NOT wear red hats, is decidedly less feisty. I wanna be feisty.)
Happy Birthday to her!
What an amazing mother and role model!
Dude, and I mean that in a gender neutral way, just a cali term…I remember last year in Pt. Reyes when she turned 70 and just started running two miles a day..Yea, not so normal to start distance running at 70, but nothing Aunt Nancy does is “normal”… if she was “the norm,” this world would be a much cooler place..Miss and love to y’all..
Bless up
Lane
Couldn’t agree more.
Can’t wait to see you Lane!
I hope my hair looks that good. Genes are currently not in my favor.
just starting out as a grandmother of two, 51 year old me now knows who I want to model after when I grow up.
LOVE this!
Congrats Laura!