At your age, mom

She arrived in the country when she was one year old, they came from Italy looking for a country without wars or hunger. Her 2 siblings were born here and they formed a typical Italian family. She went to school, but when she wanted to keep studying her father opposed it, «Women are for the house, learn to sew, cook, and if you like music, fine; intellectual women don't marry and I don't want a spinster at home».

At 18 she fell in love with José, the son of a fellow countryman, and after 2 years of courting at the doorway they got married. He had set up a small shop and since she got pregnant he didn't let her keep working. «I'll bring in the stew, you take care of the house and the baby, that's already enough.» Juanita was born and 2 years later Miguel.

They already had their pair but 4 years later Marcos came along and since the business was doing well they had no problem. She had to hire an accountant, because he didn't understand numbers.

When her daughter wanted to study she supported her, she didn't want to repeat her own frustration. But one day thieves came into the shop and José reacted and they killed him.

That's how her life changed, suddenly. Alone with 3 teenagers, a business she'd never taken part in, she felt lost. Luckily the accountant Luis, a good person, taught her to run the business, the banks, the buying. Her son Manuel also helped, since many afternoons, when he didn't have to study, he'd go help his father.

Life slowly settled into its course, the children graduated, married, the grandchildren came. But one day, when she had been widowed for several years, he proposed a trip to Italy since it was an unfulfilled dream. Her children had traveled, met relatives, brought back photos, but they never suggested she travel too, she stayed home taking care of the younger grandchildren. She told Luis, let me think about it, I'll talk to my children.

She gathered them at her house, told them, «Kids, Luis is suggesting we travel together to Italy and maybe other countries, what do you think?» Her daughter said great, mom.

«If you need help, count on me.» Miguel: «But mom, at your age». What age is the right age to fulfill a dream? For me to stay in charge of your children you didn't take my age into account, what, are you afraid I'll die abroad? Don't worry, they can bury me in any country, it's all the same to me.

Juanita looked at him angrily: «You never got over your Oedipus complex, you're afraid some other man will steal your mommy from you.»

Marcos didn't speak, but muttered under his breath «at your age, mom.»

She answered them: «Well, kids, since the only problem is my age, it's already settled: I'M GOING ON THE TRIP.»