What I've Learnt - Sue Blashki

Today I have a very special guest joining me on the podcast. Sue Blashki my beautiful mother. As her 80th birthday is around the corner we’ve joined forces to tell her story and capture her legacy and wisdom in honor of mothers across the world.Mother of four, wife, barrister, magistrate, and now a mediator Sue has been a role model for many - friends some of who went into law inspired by Sue, her children and grandchildren, and of course me!Life has not always been easy for Sue suffering an illness that saw her bedridden as a young 15-year-old girl, tragically losing her own mother when Sue was only a 27-year-old young mum and later taking care of a seriously ill brother who she adored.But for her, it’s all been about finding that piece of blue sky letting the sunshine in during the storms that at times we all often weather.As a writer and publisher working with mum to write her memoir is one of the greatest honors. I feel such trust and responsibility to try and reflect on this incredible woman who has shaped mine and so many lives with her love, kindness intelligence, and warmth.I’ve always had such huge respect for mum in every way - as a professional woman as well as a mother she is my guiding light on almost everything I do - there’s not much I don’t share with her as her advice is often thoughtful and very on point. There’s barely a day I haven’t had a catch-up call with mum. We discuss everything from relationships, work, politics, literature, the arts, children, friendships and there’s not a major life decision I’ve made without serious counsel with her. Often her advice is sound, sensible but always with a lateral perspective. Sometimes mum feels like a sister or a best friend!At a time when only a few women tackled the challenges of the law mum showed how it was done. Humble, capable, and transformative with carefully honed skills there are also many families who are grateful to mum for her guidance in navigating the often challenging family law system. I’ve always been so proud of mum’s determination to work and have a family - it has inspired me to know you can have it all just not necessarily all at once. We reflect often on the balancing act and mum is always open to considering new ways of doing things - she’s very progressive and not just stuck on one way of doing things. Mum listens and is always learning even at 80!I feel so blessed to have had such an inspirational intelligent caring woman to guide and nurture me through life’s journey - no matter what the curveball and we have both had many - it’s mums perspective to stay calm, adapt, consider carefully and you’ll get through it .. has helped me navigate the river of life so many times.I feel she’s always there in my canoe paddling alongside me no matter where I am.Mum has such a Joie de Vivre for theatre, music travel and always loved a party! I think that’s where I get it from! Dressed beautifully with her maroon lipstick mum loves a celebration and fortunately, we have had so many!Also a ninth-generation Australian with convict ancestors we often joke that her family has gone from one side of the bench to the other .. as she became a successful magistrate!So as she turns 80 we reflect on her history, wisdom and lessons learnt on the ever ebbing river of life.Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBkBuzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850