Me from ‘M to Z’

Last month I participated in a prompt from Denyse Whelan Blogs entitled Me from ‘A to L’ if you missed it you can catch up here.

Now it is time for the second half of the alphabet and there were a few harder letters in this one to describe myself.

Me from ‘M’ to ‘Z’

Mother

I’m a mother to Rachel and Nathan.  Rachel is 37 and is a mother herself to Ethan and a brand new baby boy, Elliot.  We have a wonderful mother/daughter/friend relationship and I admire her as she has developed into a very independent, competent, caring and loving woman.

Nathan is 35 and I’m lucky to have a great relationship with him.  We don’t see each other as often as I see Rachel, but he calls and we chat, although I do most of the talking 🙂 Nathan is not big on words but deep down he is a caring soul and I admire him for living his life on his own terms which takes courage.  He is a great uncle to Ethan because they both love building with Lego!

Nan

I am ‘Nan’ to my darling Ethan, Wallis the Pooch and newest addition to the family his baby brother, Elliot Alexander.  I’m now going to call them E1 and E2 🙂

I’m also Nanna Sue to Lexie, Harry and Camden who are our grandchildren on Mike’s side.  I love being a grandmother and never knew how special the love between a grandparent and grandchild could be.  I have a special relationship with Ethan and have learned so much from this gorgeous little boy in just 4 years.

Organized

I like to be organized and am a list girl from way back.  I get great satisfaction ticking off the list and seeing what I have accomplished.  Although I wrote in ‘Me from ‘A’ to ‘L” that I was Impulsive, that doesn’t mean I’m not also organized.  I do like structure in my life and knowing that I have all my ducks in a row.

Punctual

I hate being late (I was even early to my first wedding!) and I’m also not patient when people aren’t on time.  I can forgive lateness if there is a good reason or I at least receive a call.  To me being on time is a courtesy and shows that I value the other person’s time – whether it is a business appointment for meeting friends.

Queenslander

I live in Queensland and moved from New South Wales in 1988.  Born and bred in Sydney, I will always hold that place dear to my heart. When I first moved to Queensland I didn’t know if I would ever fit into what I considered to be ‘a country town’ compared to Sydney.  I also found that it takes years, if ever, to be accepted as a Queenslander, especially around the State of Origin Football time.  This is a football competition between New South Wales and Queensland, so as someone from NSW I was never popular at this time of year!

I love Brisbane, where I live and enjoy the City which has matured and become more sophisticated but still doesn’t have that ‘rat race’ feeling to it.

I also love our apartment at the Gold Coast where we regularly spend time enjoying the sunshine and the ocean.

Surfers Paradise at the Gold Coast where we escape to.

Runner

Most of you would know that I love running and run regularly with my Saturday Sisters.  I started running just before I turned 50, ran a full marathon at 55 and still running today.  I love it (although many don’t) because it clears my mind, keeps me healthy and running with my Saturday Sisters and built a strong and loving friendship.

Sue

For my 60th birthday speech last year I spoke how I had been reflecting on how quickly 60 years had passed and asking myself : WHO IS SUE?

We are all defined in many ways.  For me, I’m a wife to Mike. I’m Mum, to my darling Rachel & Nathan. I’m Nan to my darling Ethan who brings such joy to my life and I’m Nanna Sue to Lexie, Harry and Camden. I’m a daughter-in-law to Luisa, I’m a MIL to Ian who is like a second son to me and a wonderful husband & father.

I’m also Sue, the friend to you all.   But most importantly, I’m Sue the individual who wants to inspire others and be a role model to my children and grandchildren through the way I live my life.

Travel

Mike and I love travelling and exploring new cultures and experiences.  We have been fortunate to have travelled to many parts of the world, both on land touring and sea cruises.  We have cruised the Mediteranean, Adriatic, Baltic, Nova Scotia, New Zealand, Asia and the Pacific Islands.  We have also visited the US several times, Quebec, Italy (where my husband was born), Germany, U.K., China, Bali, Thailand, Hong Kong and driving holidays in New Zealand.  We toured Spain last year for my 60th birthday celebrations and this October we are cruising around Japan.

Unique

I’m borrowing from my AtoZ Challenge here.  I am unique and so are you.  There is no one in the world quite like me with all of my strengths, weaknesses and emotions.  It took many years for me to overcome my lack of self-belief and learn to love the person that I am – ‘warts and all’.  We are all unique and special with so much to offer this world it is just a matter of accepting that and opening up.

Volunteer

When my MIL moved to an aged care home, I started volunteering there. It was a way to encourage her to join in the activities and also for me to give my time.  I volunteer only for outings and special events so that I’m not tied to a weekly appointment, which could easily become a chore.  I have developed some fun relationships with some of the residents and have learned that a smile or ‘hello, how are you?’ might not seem much but can make someone else’s day.

Warm

I like to think I am a warm and caring person.  It makes me feel good to help others feel comfortable and cared for.  I also feel the warmth when I give to others and see how happy it makes them.

Xcited

Yes, I cheated but there aren’t many ‘X’ words are there!  I love feeling excited and still feel the excitement of Christmas and other celebrations, including my birthday.  I count down with excitement to our holidays and travels and this hasn’t waned over the years.  Life can be a surprise and exciting if we allow it to be.  I hope I never lose my ability to feel excited because then I will have lost part of me.

Youthful

I recently was MC and Guest Speaker at a function for a Mother’s Day High Tea.  The topic of my speech was ‘Having an Ageless Attitude’.  I feel much younger than my 60 years and that is because of my attitude to life and the keeping healthy and active.  We can feel sorry for ourselves that each year we are a year older, or we can just get out there and enjoy life!  Of course, I realise that we all age but I have a favourite saying:

‘The moment we focus on the number is the moment we grow old’

Zest for Life

In the Blogging AtoZ Challenge I wrote that Zest is such a fun word. When I hear or read the word, I think of vibrancy and a ‘get up and go attitude’. A feeling of being alive.  That is how I try to live my life. I don’t always get it right but I’m giving it my best shot.

This prompt from Denyse Whelan has certainly been a good lesson in self-awareness.  I have really had to think about who I am as a person and what makes me tick.

Will you take a lesson in self-awareness and describe yourself from ‘A to Z’?  If you do, I would love to hear your thoughts.

Let’s Keep Sizzling!