Not right now: Ageing DISgracefully

Having lunch with our grandparents at the RSL club really gives us an opportunity to observe Australia’s growing ageing population. And let me tell you, some of them must’ve had a tough life or spent way too many nights following tour buses and shagging rock stars back in the day. 

The DEEP wrinkles on their faces, the toothless scowls, the wirey grey hair, the soiled clothing… I just wonder why they’ve stopped making an effort? Or what has happened in the course of life for them look like the evil stepmother when she turns herself into the old hag to give Snow White the Poison Apple? Regardless, I’m sure they’d have some stories to tell!

When I look at Sharon with her middy of Toohey’s Old, I could picture her living the life filled with ciggies, booze, late nights, fast food, fast men, drugs and maybe some rock n roll from her early 20’s to late 30’s and through her 40’s to now she’s still smoking a pack or two a day, getting pissed in the back yard with her second husband Trev every other night (when he doesn’t take her out to Harold Park raceway for a punt on the greyhounds). Now that, ladies and gents, would definitely take a toll on one’s appearance…

But there are some that still are immaculate and they wouldn’t have it any other way. Take Berryl. She’s 81, wearing a snappy red two piece suit, shoes and earrings to match, she’s got her hair and makeup done with flawless red lippie and she’s sharp as a tack even after two chardonnay’s.

We know Beryl’s had a tough life, her hubby was in the war, came home and worked as a butcher and dropped dead on the Bowling Green eleven years ago. They had no children so she’s quite alone apart from a money grubbing niece and nephew who are trying to put her in a home and take her car – but she won’t give it up (nor does she need to). She owns a two bedroom unit in Haberfield with a city view and two months ago she was in hospital because a thieving youth knocked her over after stealing some other poor woman’s purse. But whenever we see her she’s looking smashing, she’s wearing her gold and diamonds, looking fresh as a daisy and while she’s definitely lived her life she’s growing older very gracefully.

So seeing the difference between Sharon and Berryl makes us look at our own lives and wonder if the suitcases under our eyes from this weekend’s efforts have taken permanent residency or we’re still young enough to shake them off. Let’s be the Julie Andrews’, Angela Lansbury’s and Dame Judy Dench’s of our time and not whatever Amy Winehouse will look like when she’s 60.

Hot Right Now: detox weekends, quiet nights in, restoration. Not Right Now: 3 day benders, hangovers til Thursday, adding 10 years to one’s appearance.