Marilena Cecolin is a 56-year-old determined, tender, and slightly touchy woman who is also my mom. She loves to share moments with those she cares for, but she can also be very independent. She has spent most of her life balancing family and work, which both pleases her and causes her some regret.
My grandfather developed a mechanical company, which he left to my mother and aunt when he died suddenly. Both young women, they had to carve out their own space and prove that they could run the business on their own. I was still young and my sister had just been born, so my mother felt the weight of her new responsibilities but didn't want to neglect us. It took some time to manage everything, not without sacrifices, but she has always been a loving and dedicated mother.
Today, she and her sister run a company with a modest number of employees, and being two women in a male-dominated industry has become accepted. Marilena still dedicates a lot of time to her family and to the church, an intrinsic part of her life. She doesn't like to cook much anymore, but she enjoys it when it's an excuse to get together.
When I was younger, we sometimes argued, but it is only now that I realize the kind of example she was to me. She taught me to be determined, showing me that a woman could do a man's job and still be herself, without trying to 'look like' a man. She pushed me to fight for what I wanted and to take responsibility for my actions. Growing up, I slowly realize that I'm starting to look like her more and more. I'm proud of it.
How does it feel to be 72?
Why did you retire or why are you still working?
Why did you retire?
Why are you still working?
The first thing that comes to mind when I think about why I'm still working is the sense of responsibility I feel for the employees who work for us and for their families. Even in tough times, they have always been the driving force behind solutions and progress. And then I like my job. Sometimes it is a bit demanding, carrying the burden of all the decisions, but it's something that makes me feel active and, above all, proud of what my sister and I have achieved. It is only by looking back that I realise how the company has grown, how it functions and how stable it is today. It has been a long but rewarding journey and one that continues to motivate me on a daily basis.
What do you look forward to?
What is your biggest concern?
Life expectancy 2023
