Intergenerational Inspiration Q&A with Maureen Mackey, podcast co-host of Real Moms Get Real
It was refreshing to interview Maureen Mackey, a New York-based editor and writer about her intergenerational inspirations. Her work has appeared for years in LifeZette, The Fiscal Times, Reader’s Digest, Fordham Magazine, and many other outlets. Maureen is married and has two sons and two stepsons and was inspired by a very joyous, spirited and loving grandmother. Below is our conversation.
1. Intergenerational relationships traditionally focus on people who are “skipped,” non-adjacent generations like grandparents and grandchildren. Have you had someone in your life from a different generation who greatly inspired you?
Yes! My paternal grandmother, Delia Mackey, was a wonderful grandmother and devoted family member who went out of her way for each of her grandchildren — and there are 21 of us. Yet she made each one of us feel special. She went way beyond the “Christmas and Easter” sort of grandparent. My grandmother was there for me at birthdays, graduations, my wedding and the birth of my children — plus in numerous phone calls “just because.” Her love was unbounding.
2. What is something you enjoyed doing with the person? What did you learn from her?
From her — as well as from my parents — I learned unconditional, enthusiastic love. Just being around her was fun. Grandma loved to laugh and crack jokes. I distinctly remember sitting next to her during a St. Patrick’s Day parade in Manhattan one year and laughing so hard the tears rolled down my face. There’s nothing like a great belly laugh! She had a way of making an occasion out of everything we did because she just loved being with her family. But even in quieter times, she made each of us feel special.
3. How has this relationship continued to impact you? Is there something you do or a motto you follow in your personal or professional life that came from that intergenerational connection?
She helped me learn to laugh at myself and at certain life situations — and that didn’t come easily to me at first, as I was a more serious sort of child and young person. But Grandma saw the lighter side — a way to lift a burden. Her love of life and of people impacted me and still does.
4. Is there someone in your life now from a younger generation in which you have a special reverse-mentoring relationship? What types of experiences do you share together?
I’m extremely lucky to call myself a mom and a stepmom — these relationships are the bedrock of my life. I’ve also tried to be there for my godchildren and many others in my family during significant milestones in their lives but also at other moments — birthdays, vacations, games, and more.
5. How do you encourage intergenerational relationships in your family, business or community?
It’s so easy for all of us today to become so engrossed in our own obligations that we don’t reach out to our wider circles of family and friends and give of ourselves, even in some small but meaningful way. In recent years especially, I’ve tried to do more of this. The love and care for my extended family is tremendous (I have five siblings and 19 nieces and nephews) — and it’s important to express that love through actions. This might mean working extra hard to coordinate get-togethers, visits and gifts. But it’s always worth it.
6. Is there a book, movie or piece of art that has reminded you about the importance and power of intergenerational inspiration?
Well, this will be an unusual choice, but Home Before Dark by Susan Cheever — about her father, John Cheever — is a favorite book of mine for many reasons. Though her father led a complicated life, the author reveals through almost every line of this memoir her great love for her father and his for her. It was soon after the author had her own daughter, Sarah, that her father passed away — there are many poignant passages that express a family’s love.
Photo Credit: David Sokol
7. How can our readers follow you and learn more about your work?
With a good friend, I’ve recently begun a podcast about family life and your readers can listen to the most recent episode of “Real Moms Get Real.” We discuss news, trends, and real-life situations we encounter — and our vow is to keep it real. We know how hard we work as moms, but also how human we are. Our aim is connection, not perfection! Readers can find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @RealMoms2.
Maureen, thank you so much for taking the time to share. I so enjoyed learning about your grandmother — and all that she taught you — especially by her very being and as you have described, “unconditional, enthusiastic love” — so fabulous and important…. Thank you for the reminder to make the effort and time to express our love for others in deeds. That’s our focus at Bridges Together — expanding and strengthening our circles of love especially across generations. Thank you again for sharing your intergenerational inspiration!
