Older ladies can really make me chuckle sometimes ... and something along the title lines said by a woman old enough to know better and feeling too young to care ... has my appreciation and admiration. They have a certain style to them that is just wonderful. If you're one count yourself proud, if ya gonna be one, work hard to keep up the tradition. Here's an idea of why.....
Yesteday during my Monday morning commute, which is insane, by the way, in itself, the traffic was queued up for most of the 25 miles it is to travel, so I had an extra two hours to listen to the morning radio show. The topic of the day happened to be Growing old disgracefully, which seems to be the new trend according to the radio talk show host. They did a feature on an only online magazine for over 50’s. Sorry can’t remember the name now . The guest speaker however kept my attention.
At 50 years old she took her CBT (you knew it had to be about bikes.) At 55 she bought her Harley and has been a member of the Harley Owners Group and has never looked back. She’s ridden from Land’s End to John O’Groats for charity. She’s planning on doing Europe next. She’s done all sorts and can’t remember her age although I’m sure she gave it a few times.
The presenter seemed amazed. I wasn’t. I’m only a couple years younger than her when she did her CBT. Made perfect sense to me. She put it rather aptly when she said – it wasn’t about a midlife crisis it was about changing a lifestyle to living. She found support in the motorcycle club she joined and never looked back. Why should she be a shrinking violet? Why should she grow old gracefully – why couldn’t she do and be what she wanted to be. My mind couldn’t help but wander back to when my mother was reaching her sixties and was really into Erma Bombeck and the poem widely circulated to most in this element I’m sure – When I get old I shall wear purple.
But the fact of the matter is I was amazed about how little people really allow people to get out side of the box they want them to in the discussions on the radio. It made for good radio I suppose because the woman was encountering complete opposition in the interviewer – so there were both sides present and accounted for – which is another thing that makes me chuckle about Yorkshire. The presenter was a Yorkshireman. Those of you who are English will understand my point immediately, and for my older American friends - let’s just say it was like an older Betty Boop on a bike having a conversation with Archie Bunker.
(I’ll pause for impact.)
I ended up at work with a smile because it finally dawned on me, much as Yorkshire would like folk to believe they’ve kept true to their stereotype, there are folks far and wide on Yorkshire land – that just ain’t gonna give that stereotype a hand.
I listened while the lady told of how she customised her Harley and how everywhere on the bike was something about somebody she loved, children, grandchildren – full pictures on the fairings, something for each place she’s been, for her the glory has been travelling. This bike she described must be quite a beast – full of storage and flaring and decorations. Finally as the interviewer tried to end the talk show time he asked her a final question which by American standard would have been quite rude and inconsiderate but after 13 years I’m getting kind of used to it – and she simply replied with a quote that will never leave me, “ You just don’t understand, it’s in me blood. “
Kudos to her - she never lost touch with her heart. Whomever she is wherever she is I wish her all the best.
