To all the wonderful women in our lives
By MiNDFOOD Editor-in-Chief Michael McHugh
I have many great examples of wonderful women in my life – my wife Michelle, our daughters Lillian and Dorothy, my mother-in-law Lois, my sisters, sisters-in-law, teachers, nieces, friends and women I have worked with through the years that have made me question, think and inform my outlook on life.
It is perhaps, though, my own mother, the very first woman in my life, who has shaped my thinking most – particularly in the early years of my life – and who had a great impact on the man I have become. Like all mums, I believe she is worth celebrating.
She recently passed away at the age of 95. This remarkable, loving mother who had eight children, 19 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren lived a life experiencing great love. When I think of her now, it’s not as that woman in her final months – succumbing to age and illness – but rather as the strong, intelligent woman, the bright, family-loving mum she was.
When she laughed, you couldn’t help but smile and join in. When you did or said something wrong, you knew exactly where you stood after that look she would throw your way. A teacher for many years, she was a great supporter of education and learning. She loved a good book, a crossword and over the years she held onto a very strong faith. She loved her children and loved being loved by them as well.
“The world is better off for ‘difficult’ women who come along and plough up the field,” says Hollywood icon, Glenn Close, as she explains how through her portrayal of a ‘terrifying other woman’ in Fatal Attraction and a submissive spouse in The Wife, she hopes to inspire other leading ladies in the industry. In this issue, the six-time Academy-Award nominated actress who has spent 40 years playing memorable female characters, opens up about her life, career and social justice advocacy work.
Also in the September issue:
The Wellness Revolution: the skills you need for self-care that will have you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Old-fashioned teatime treats making a delicious comeback, and an inspiring new-season menu from our kitchen to yours. Not forgetting the men in our lives, we reflect on a father’s role in the twenty first-century, and Smart Thinker of Mike Rolls, who after contracting meningococcal as a teenager, was forced to learn how to cultivate resilience.
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