This post is sponsored by Bupa.
One of my biggest fears in life is what will happen to me when I’m not able to run any more. I rely on running to keep myself steady and sane and operating like something resembling a normal human. Lucky for me, I come from good stock.
My mother, Barb, is as strong as an ox and, despite living a lifestyle that was perhaps a little too rich in ciggies and frivolity back in the day, now takes her health pretty seriously. She eats well, drinks with circumspection and, impressively, gave up the smokes cold turkey about 20 years ago.
So where, once, we might have caught up for a bottle or two of wine of red and some crazy-arsed shenanigans, Barb and I now bond over healthy eating and keeping active.
One of our favourite events each year is getting together for the Mothers Day Classic Fun Run. For us, it’s a brilliant way to celebrate our good health together, as mothers and as women, and to support others who need it. Next year, for the first time, my eldest daughter will be running with us, so there will be three generations of us running together. I reckon that’s pretty special.
Bupa is running a program right now encouraging us all to Care for our Greats. It’s incredibly important to help to keep those Greats in our lives connected to what is going on in the community, and to keep healthy and active.
I’d like to pretend that’s what I’m doing with my mum, but honestly, she’s a freaking ace broad and I just love hanging out with her. Mum raised my brother and me on her own, and we were not easy kids to raise at times. She is strong, whip-smart, funny as hell and one of my favourite people on the planet.
The fact that Barb prioritises her health and plans adventures for herself (she is jetting off to Hawaii in November with some of her gym buddies) is a constant inspiration to me. I’m planning on living my life just as large.
Do you have a Great in your life? We’d love to hear about them. Either share a story about your Great in the comments below, or share a pic with us on Instagram (@champagnecartel) using the hashtag #CaringForOurGreats. We’ll choose our favourite entry to win Matt Moran’s new cookbook Matt’s Kitchen Garden. A great Aussie collection of recipes based on seasonal and fresh produce to keep you and your Great healthy and happy. Entries close at 11:59pm on Wednesday 23 September. See our competitions page for full terms and conditions.
LOVE this idea. Have just popped over to the Bupa page and watched the Luke Hodge video. Very true that our greats don’t always have to be family – while my children have both sets of Grandparents in Australia (whom they adore) we’ve also adopted a few “greats” in our travels. You’ve got me thinking now Champagne Cartel, I think we may have to a podcast/blog on expat greats and how we find them in our travels. Great post!
Always happy to inspire new work! Let me know when you’ve got it up so I can share. xxx
How awesome is Barb. I’m have an Internet crush. My great is my honorary aunt Mel. She was there for me when no one else was around and always had time for a cuppa. She’s been a constant source of inspiration. Love her x
Mel sounds awesome! If I was in Sydney, I’d be having a cuppa with you whenever I could. xx
My Mum is78 and raised 7 kids alone. She takes herself off to galleries and shows and fabulous restaurants and travels the world with any of us that are trotting off somewhere. She makes sure she goes for a walk every day and, without fail, eats an orange after dinner. I think one of her secrets is that she refuses to surround herself with older people choosing to catch up with her hipster grandkids in Fitzroy instead!
Oh, I love the sound of your mum, Jeanie! I want to hang with her too. xx
My mum is a great. I have a few greats but she takes the cake, and eats it.
I’d like to meet Barb one day, she sounds like my kind of bird. Maybe not at 6am on Mother’s Day though.
I reckon Caz and Barb would get on like a house on fire and cause all manner of trouble. We should probably keep them apart. xxx
I have a number of great girlfriends whom I can always count on to have time for me, love me, inspire me and generally make the world a better place. And kick my arse occasionally too. Love the sound of your mum xx
Great attracts great, Hallworth. xxx
Barb is a pocket rocket of awesomeness!
We have a very exciting school holidays time coming up because some of our Greats are coming to visit. My son’s grandparents, my husband’s parents, and my parents in law arrive tonight to spend three weeks with us. This prospect might strike horror into the heart of many, but I actually love my inlaws. I’m super lucky!
I’m about to have an operation next month, and I’m not super duper awesomely healthy at the moment. I’m struggling to exercise and get myself through the days. I’m worried about coping with the travails of three weeks of active holidays. Until my husband reminded me that our guests are 75 and will probably welcome the excuse for a sit down and a cup of tea provided by my own ill health. Talking about #CaringForOurGreats. It’s a win win as they’ll be caring for me as much as we will be caring for them!
That’s perfect! And then when you’re tip top after your op, you will have loads of energy to do all the other stuff. xxx
A beautiful story and a great initiative. x
Thanks gorgeous! xx
What a fab story. Love the idea of #caringforourgreats
Isn’t it cool, B-Word! So much for all to gain from hanging out with the older generations. xx
Love this. Barb looks fabulous. I really like the idea of bonding over something brilliant and healthy.
Me too! We used to bond over wine. This is better. 🙂
Beautiful post. Barb sounds like one cool mum.
She goes all right. xx
What an awesome woman. I so want to be Barb when I grow up too xx
Barb’s the bombdiggity. xx