Age 3: She looks at herself and sees a Queen.

Age 8: She looks at herself and sees Cinderella.

Age 15: She looks at herself and sees an Ugly Sister (Mum I can't go to school looking like this!)

Age 20: She looks at herself and sees "too fat/too thin, too short/too tall, too straight/too curly"- but decides she's going out anyway.

Age 30: She looks at herself and sees "too fat/too thin, too short/too tall, too straight/too curly" - but decides she doesn't have time to fix it, so she's going out anyway.

Age 40: She looks at herself and sees "clean" and goes out anyway.

Age 50: She looks at herself and sees "I am" and goes wherever she wants to go.

Age 60: She looks at herself and reminds herself of all the people who can't even see themselves in the mirror anymore. Goes out and conquers the world.

Age 70: She looks at herself & sees wisdom, laughter and ability, goes out and enjoys life.

Age 80: Doesn't bother to look. Just puts on a purple hat and goes out to have fun with the world.

  This is a good likeness to my Aunty Nora...

 My mum was 90 when she went back to spirit last year. (2009)

I think that she wore purple hats with a feather in mostly, to show that she was always just that kind of person, it’s a gift!

Here is an example of what I mean…

One day my aunty Nora suggested that all the visitors in the house that day – there were lots of us with two or three children each – should go out for a walk to the park just around the corner at Southport.

The mums got the kids sorted out with shoes and coats, it was cold and uncertain weather, and we all congregated in the hall. Leading out was my aunt to open the gate, and lastly my mum to close the front door, the two grannies.

We all trooped down the path to pass aunty at the gate who kept repeating, “ Be sensible, this is a main road, walk nicely!”

All of us trooped out on our best behaviour, a long stream of grown-ups and little people.

Then my mum came skipping down the path twirling her umbrella around like a drum majorette, and kicking her legs in the air, singing a happy song.

I turned to see all this – and looked at my aunty…

She shook her head and said, “I’ve never had any control over that woman!” and rolled her eyes up at me!

We laughed all along the road, my mum saying over and over… “What’ funny?” - “What’s so funny?”

  And this is a good likenss to my mum!

In honour and memory

In honour of women's history month and in memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight with cancer, my cousin sent me this text and I pass it onto you all. 

There is a saying that we should all live each day as if it were our last one on earth, this is not morbid, it is a fact that we only wake each day by the grace of God.

Most everyone knows of a death through cancer, but whatever the name is given, by way of a reason for a passing into spirit, this poem should give us all an insight into our own lives as we live them from day to day.

The following was written when Erma found out she was dying from cancer....

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck


I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner." There would have been more "I love you's." More "I'm sorry's."

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it .. live it and never give it back. Stop sweating the small stuff.

Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what.

Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.

Let's think about what God HAS blessed us with, and what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally.

~ I hope you all have a blessed day ~