November/December 2017
Golden Times Magazine
Golden Times Magazine
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There's a new man in my life<br />
by Michele Duke<br />
I<br />
’m so excited I can hardly<br />
sleep. The most wonderful<br />
thing has happened to me.<br />
At the age of 58 I’ve discovered<br />
the real meaning of life. And<br />
things will never be the same<br />
again. No, I haven’t started<br />
watching Strictly. I’ve become a<br />
grandmother. It’s amazing, isn’t<br />
it? Don’t know why I didn’t do<br />
it years ago.<br />
My friends who got here before<br />
me had suggested they had<br />
something a bit special in<br />
their lives. Suddenly they were<br />
unavailable for girl’s nights<br />
out. They had to be available<br />
at the drop of a hat “just in<br />
case I’m needed”. Weekends<br />
were reserved for “the new<br />
person in my life”. It was worse<br />
than having your best friend<br />
get a new lover! Now I get it.<br />
I know you more experienced<br />
grandparents are rolling your<br />
eyes as you studiously avoid<br />
picking up the phone to yet<br />
another request for emergency<br />
babysitting. No doubt there will<br />
be highs and lows but, right at<br />
this moment, my joy is totally<br />
unstoppable.<br />
Have you noticed how<br />
grandmothers are now<br />
very “in”? Everyone’s at it.<br />
Grandchildren are the new<br />
“must have” accessories.<br />
Gorgeous models and<br />
actresses are all over the<br />
glossies with their two<br />
generations. The emphasis is<br />
very much on how young and<br />
attractive the grandmother is,<br />
rather than the baby’s dimples.<br />
The words glamorous and<br />
grandmother are put together<br />
constantly. This is a totally new<br />
phenomenon. We are the first<br />
generation of “glam grans”,<br />
youthful, active, and influential.<br />
The pressure is now on to look<br />
good at all ages. No more<br />
settling back by the fire with<br />
your knitting and a pack of<br />
digestives. Now it’s all pilates<br />
and climbing Katmandu. The<br />
era of twin-sets and perms<br />
disappeared years ago, but<br />
this new world of super-grans<br />
is very new. I’m embracing it.<br />
Rather than allowing the mantle<br />
of “grandparent” to age me, I’m<br />
pushing back the boundaries<br />
and refusing to be defined by a<br />
label (and don’t get me started<br />
on what I should be called – it’s<br />
the question everyone asks!).<br />
I’ve started a new dance class<br />
– contemporary, not ballroom.<br />
I’m enrolling in a new language<br />
course – in Milan. I’ve bought<br />
a new coat in bright pink. I’m<br />
experimenting with new makeup.<br />
I’m making my diet even<br />
more healthy. I’m upping my<br />
game to make my business<br />
more successful. I want my<br />
grandchildren to be proud of<br />
me, to see me as a woman of<br />
style and substance who loves<br />
life and lives it to the full. Bring<br />
on the next one!<br />
I am Michèle Duke and I help<br />
women look and feel fabulous.<br />
Come along to one of my<br />
beauty and health workshops<br />
or a personal fashion styling<br />
session to learn how to look<br />
your best. They’re free, informal<br />
and lots of fun. Check out the<br />
What’s On section or call me<br />
on 07801 621310 for more<br />
details. Visit my website at<br />
www.micheleduke.co.uk for<br />
more tips and ideas.<br />
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26 Find us online at www.goldentimes.co.uk<br />
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