Why I want to be my mum when I grow up

Stay active - stay connected - Champagne Cartel

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.

Why I want to be my mum when I grow up - Champagne Cartel
Barb and me at the Mothers Day Classic. Who needs breakfast in bed?? *sigh*

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.

Why I want to be my mum when I grow up - Champagne Cartel
Barb walked me up my garden path (rather than down the aisle) at my wedding.

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.

Why I want to be my mum when I grow up - Champagne Cartel
At my hens weekend, Barb was the first to volunteer to go ripping down the flying fox. Go Barb!

 

150916 Matts-Kitchen-Garden-3D-coverDo 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.

 

 

Written By

Carolyn is the editorial director of Champagne Cartel and a freelance writer. In her spare time she is a long-distance runner, peanut butter enthusiast, and single mum to three incredible humans.

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