Looking at my Mom nobody would think she's that age. Luckily she's doesn't suffer from many of the usual old age maladies, she's very active, energetic, always stylish and very much ahead of her time.
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| Photo taken last week by my Dad |
She started learning computers about 11 or 12 years ago and apart from some mishaps once in a while, she's become quite good at handling the computer, writing all her novels on it.
Her novels are set in Africa (Mozambique) where she moved to with her parents when she was 12 years old and where I was born, and where the family lived until 1974.
She's always writing something and has plans to publish many more books including children's books, but at her age is not having much success finding a publisher which leaves her a bit deflated.
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| Mom's published books |
Together with my Dad, they are members of the University of the Third Age, where as well as frequenting some classes she also teaches Poetry.
A few years ago she set up a branch of the University of the Third Age in the town where she was born (Carregal do Sal) in the center of Portugal).
She retired when she moved from South Africa to Portugal, but much later joined my sister in setting up a company that ran condominiums - meetings, organizing maintenance of apartments, etc. She again retired from that when they sold the company about 7 years ago. It was then that she dedicated her "spare time" to finally writing the books she always wanted to write.
I think it's the fact that she keeps so busy and her mind is always on the go that has kept her young at heart.
She's thrilled to have 2 great-grandchildren, 6 grandchildren ranging from almost 35 to 18 years old and 3 daughters.
Unfortunately we're all dispersed and only one of my sister's lives near her, but thanks to modern technology we all keep in touch via Skype, Whatsapp, Messenger, Facebook, etc.
Today, my sister who lives in Portugal is also away in America visiting her daughter and grandson that just turned 2, but my Mom and Dad won't be alone on this special date, as my daughter and partner who live in Amsterdam will be in Portugal and my niece who lives in Angola is also flying in, as a surprise. So having 2 grandchildren present is not so bad.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!
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| Mom as a 21 year old |
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| Mom and Dad |
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| Mom with the 3 daughters - Portugal, July 2017 |
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| Mom and Dad with 4 of the eldest grandchildren in 2007 |
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| Mom and Dad with my younger sister and the 2 youngest grandchildren in 2008 |
Quite accomplished! Happy Birthday to your mother.
ReplyDeleteThanks William, I think she's done well for her age.
DeleteWhat a fantastic tribute to your mother. So lovely and she definitely doesn't look 80. Not even 60!
ReplyDeleteDoes your mother know about self publishing? It's become a big thing lately and many authors have gone that route when it became impossible for a publishing house to sponsor them.
Happy birthday to your mother. Here's to 80 more!
Thank you Elizabeth, she will be thrilled with 60, lol.
DeleteI'm investigating some publishing avenues for her, thanks for the tip.
Happy BIG birthday to your Mum, what a wonderful post about her life. We can tell you have her youth and writing genes Sami! I am sure you are missing being together this weekend, but how lovely that your daughter could be there!
ReplyDeleteWren x
Thanks Wren, she was so happy with the surprise and glad to have 2 grand-daughters with her and Dad this weekend.
DeleteHappy birthday to her, its rare to get to 80. My maternal grandfather did, though he did pass at 81 but you could tell he was OLD
ReplyDeleteThanks Adam. It's great she's relatively healthy, my grandparents on both sides all died very early.
DeleteBest wishes to your high achieving mother. She certainly doesn't look 80.
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrew, she will be pleased :)
DeleteHappy birthday to your Mom! She does look great, how wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks Paula, she looks great.
DeleteHappy Birthday to your Mon, Sami !
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tribute !
Thank you Karl. She's a special lady.
DeleteA wonderful post, Sami, happy, happy Birthday to your Mum!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful life and a beautiful family. Some genes you all have there :-)
Thanks Iris. I hope I'll have my mom's energy if I reach her age :)
DeleteHappy Birthday to your mom! What a fascinating life journey she has had and what talents. She looks fabulous -- years younger. I think she must be doing everything right!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jeanie.
DeleteYou Look Fabulous For 80!! Well Done And Thanx For Sharing.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Not me yet, it's my Mom :)
DeleteMuitos parabéns à mão pelos seus 80 anos.
ReplyDeleteUm abraço e bom fim-de-semana.
Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
Livros-Autografados
Obrigada Francisco. Bom fim de semana.
DeleteLooking very good at 80!
ReplyDeleteThank you Red Pat.
DeleteA very y birthday to your mother. She looks great, no 80 at all! Hope she will go on this way for many years.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marianne.
DeleteGosh I hope I'm as fit and active at your mum's ages Sami, she looks fabulous! Happp happy birthday Celeste 🎈🎉🎊🎇🎆✨
ReplyDeleteThanks, I hope so too Grace.
DeleteOs meus parabéns para a sua mãe que não parece nada ter 80 anos.
ReplyDeleteBoa semana
Obrigada Pedro. Ela nao ficou muito feliz que eu tivesse espalhado pelo mundo que tem 80 anos, lol. Mas ficou feliz em saber que muita gente pensa que ela parece mais nova :)
DeleteLovely to see your mum Sami
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie.
DeleteHappy birthday to your mom! What a beauty! You have great genes. It is hard to get publishers interested in anyone, anymore, but I hope she goes on to self-publish!
ReplyDeleteThank you Laurie for the compliment. I know it's quite hard to get published...
DeleteDearest Sami,
ReplyDeleteOh sure your Mom kept her mind fresh and alert and thus stayed young!
Congratulations to her and to all of you!!!
Did you ever read my post about the benefits of second languages? http://mariettesbacktobasics.blogspot.com/2015/03/second-languages.html
No doubt that also played a part in her life!
Sad that it is hard for finding a publisher, here in the US there is such opportunity of printing when paid for, so that takes that burden away but of course it is a much larger market here!
Your Mom looked so beautiful at age 21, always love studying such photos.
May they both enjoy many more years together in good health and even if the family is scattered, there is happiness between the generations that are present at such hinge moments. After all, SHE gave the example of spreading her wings and live elsewhere...
Hugs,
Mariette
PS finally finding time to read. Well, cheating on other chores and I'm dealing with severe back ache, it is now only mild compared to e.g. Thursday and Friday. Looking forward to warmer weather and to biking. Now I don't dare to.
Thanks for taking your time to go through various posts Mariette.
DeleteI'll be going over to read your post about the benefits of second languages, which I agree must be many.
Hopefully you'll feel better soon, backache is terrible! I'm lucky I haven't suffered from it since August last year, I get it once in a while due to bad posture when sitting at work, etc.
❤
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