What 80 Looks Like
We are here to celebrate 80 birthdays, 53 years of mothering, 31 years of grand mothering and 10 months of great grand mothering. These numbers are the raw data of a long life, but they don’t reflect the memories, stories, lessons and wisdom that come to us in snippets or snapshots or the fullness of a life lived with intensity and insight. Each of us has entered my mother’s book of life in a different chapter — some long ago, some more recently — but we are, nevertheless, all part of a story that began in Wondai 80 years ago today. The end is not yet written, so we will refrain from speculation, but suffice it to say that we will be eagerly awaiting the sequel at her 90th birthday celebration in ten years’ time. But as we reflect today upon the time we have been given with our mother, grandmother, great grand mother, sister, aunt and cousin, however long or short, we are reminded that our connections with one another constitute our greatest blessing and though we choose to celebrate the length of our lives, it is their essence that is more worthy of recognition. And so it is true here.
Mum doesn’t look 80, or whatever I thought 80 looked like. She doesn’t act 80, or whatever I thought 80 acted like. Florence Henderson is 80. Cicely Tyson is 80. Willie Nelson, Barbara Feldon, Joan Rivers — all 80. It doesn’t seem possible to me that they are that old. But what do I know? What do any of us under 80 know about being 80, other than it’s the new 60?
Born on a Monday. Mum is, as the poem goes, fair in face. She has seen incredible change over her 80 years. What a wonderful perspective this has given her! In 1935 the year she was born a new house cost $3450.00, average wages per year were $1600.00, the cost of a liter of fuel was 3 cents, a loaf of bread cost 8 cents and an average new car cost $625.00. Fast forward to 2015 and a house and the cost of fuel costs 160 times more, our wages have increased 50 fold, that loaf of bread costs 40 times more and buying a new car costs you 60 times more.
Franklin Pierce Adams said: Nothing is more responsible for the good old days than a bad memory. Well I disagree. Today is all about remembering the last 80 years and honoring what has filled them. In 1935, the first Technicolor Mickey Mouse short film is released, Penguin produce the first paperback books, Amelia Earhart flies solo across the Pacific , The Peoples car ( Volkswagen Beetle ) is launched in Germany, Alcoholics Anonymous is founded in New York City, Parker Brothers releases the board game Monopoly, The years of depression continued in 1935, The Cane Toad is introduced to Queensland and the Monarch is King George V.
In 2015, just a mere 80 years later and we no longer go to the movies but download in the privacy of our own home, Paperback Books are practically extinct, It costs less than one week of wages to fly across the Pacific, Volkswagen Das Auto remains one of the best sellers of cars on the planet, Alcoholics Anonymous is now an APP, You can play any game including Monopoly that you want on your phone or IPAD, For many people around the world the years of depression continued in 2015, Isis, Climate Change, Rotating Countries enjoying Debt Crisis’s, Aliens are admitted to be real by the Vatican rotate through the headlines and the Monarch is Queen Elizabeth II although people only seem interested in Prince George and his baby sister.
Mum — you were born in good company in 1935 — Elvis Presley, Julie Andrews, Woody Allen and Luciano Pavarotti. When little grandma was desperately trying to appease her new born baby who cried non stop for the first 2 months, Fred Astaire was number one on the billboard charts with “Cheek To Cheek”. Hats were worn tilted to the side. After the boyish lines of the 20s, womanly curves were in vogue in the 30s. Greta Garbo was the style queen. Gloves were enormously important as were wide shoulders. Although I cannot see Millie having the time to even bother about fashion while chasing around her three little children.
I have always considered you to be a very fortunate person. A childhood in the bush with five brothers and sisters would have been so much fun. You have regaled us with tales of your childhood — moving from farm to farm, holidays at the beach, going to work in Gympie and living and working in Brisbane. One of the best decisions of your life was to marry Dad — for without him, you would have missed out on most of us here today. My childhood was an adventure — Brisbane, Mount Isa, Townsville, Gympie and Redcliffe. In our childhood you kept us busy — music, sports, family events and community projects. You practically lived in your car for years when we were teenagers as you drove both of us to all our activities and you did this while working and running a household. In the days before mobile phones I had 25 extracurricular activities and you never missed a pick up. When grandchildren came, you spent years driving around with your doona and clothes in your car as you spent so much time helping out with all the children — in any situation, in any crisis, you were there — arms out — ready to muck in. This year when we needed you most, even in your 80th year, you arrived, once again, doona and clothes in the car, ready to help out where you could. We are all here today because of the never ending love and support that you have given to all of us.
May your 80th birthday be as unforgettable as your first kiss, your wedding day, the birth of your children, grandchildren and little Archie. Happy Birthday, Mum, and may there be many more chapters to come.
