Tough Old Chicky Award

I long ago gave up any hope of emulating tough old ladies. My mother managed to crack jokes and be charming in spite of a fused spine, legs that didn't work, arthritic hands, AF, a hernia and a host of other bits and pieces. A lot of unpleasant things happened in her life and all I ever heard her talk about was how lucky she was. She stopped living, as I always expected, when she was good and ready, which turned out to be nearly 94. I hope I've learned something but I'll never manage it with the same intrinsic authenticity.