Article by Fab after Fifty
Let’s welcome back Kasha Grimes, business entrepreneur and recently crowned Mrs UK Globe Classic 2015.
We chatted to Kasha back in March this year and fell in love with her zest for life and desire to get us 50-plus ladies firmly on the global (pardon the pun) map.
This is what Kasha had to say:
I was extremely honoured to be approached back in March by Fab after Fifty to share the chronicles of my life with other like-minded ladies who are looking forward to living life to the full in the next half of the century.
It certainly has been a busy time, carrying out all my commitments at work and home, as well as fulfilling my continued passion for pageantry. For those ladies who did not see my previous article – yes, you heard right: 50 something lady pursuing the glittering crown whilst changing outdated concepts of beauty.
I remember as a little girl my letter to Father Christmas always included a diamante encrusted tiara.
Waiting until I was 53 to achieve my ambition
So why did I wait until I was 53 to fulfill this generally perceived vain ambition?
I hit 50 with a bang! I looked in the mirror and I did not like what I saw but, let’s face it, did it really matter? According to the media I was on the shelf gathering dust, ageing disgracefully, losing my marbles and quickly approaching the free bus pass entitlement (there are some benefits to being “old”!).
But then I saw a glimmer of hope. Very few but, nevertheless, some middle-aged ladies are being given “airtime”! Maybe I should put down the Crocs and pick up the heels, remove myself from the top shelf and decobweb?
And that’s exactly what I did. I entered the “middle ages” with a bang! For the first time in my life and, after many years of hard slog, I had the luxury of financial security, a business that was in its 10th year and going strong, daughters who were becoming more and more independent, and a house-trained husband who could now make his own breakfast, lunch and dinner – yes indeed, it took him almost 20 years to master independence. In short, proof that things do get easier as you enter the second half of your earthly existence and that in itself is a great reason to celebrate “middle ages”.
Taking time to focus on me
Full of excitement and with some spare time on my hands I decided to focus on ME. Initially I was fighting the guilty demons but as I relaxed into the “middle ages” I started to enjoy being the “centre of my attention” – and this is when my pageant journey begun…
Why pageantry, I hear you ask? The answer is simple; it has all the ingredients that I was looking for: a competitive edge, glamour, self improvement, and helping others within the wider community.
I got my mojo back but, while I did adjust my speed to take into account the age of my engine and the condition of my bodywork, there was no stopping me in my mad endeavours of doing brilliant but unpredictable things inappropriate for the middle ages.
I am glad to say that 3 years on and my mission is accomplished. I feel better then I did in my 30’s and 40’s! Fashion could be to blame for some of my early years fiascos, but there is a lot to be said about the inner confidence, wisdom and experience that you gain as you age. Gravity may not be on our side but life experience gives you this edge; it guides you through life’s ups and downs.
I competed in my first pageant, Mrs Galaxy UK, at the grand old age of 53. On the day I found myself surrounded by married ladies as young as 19. So what does a woman of 50-something do when competing with girls as young as her daughters?
I focused on my strengths; dedicating my time to working within the community and fundraising for chosen charities, as this is now a key criteria of most reputable pageants. I scooped the Mrs Charity title, followed by Best in Interview! It may be difficult to believe but I came 3rd in the Swimwear, Fashion Wear and Evening Wear sections and 1st runner up overall! (That’s 2nd for all of you who don’t speak pageant language).
However I gained so much more: poise, confidence and a desire to carry on doing things for myself without feeling
guilty!
The story continues with the second chapter of my pageant journey and the “Global Challenge”!
A dear pageant friend convinced me that I should “rinse and repeat” (this line came from my 16 year old daughter just in case you think that I am trying too hard to be hip and young) and recommended a pageant system that had an age requirement of 50+ years young. Music to my ears!
Winning the crown of Mrs UK Globe Classic
I could not believe that there were other crazy mature ladies who, like me, were happy to take a plunge into the Mrs pageant pool! This time I didn’t need any arm bands; I jumped in and floated straight to the top, literally!
I was crowned the first ever Mrs UK Globe Classic (and ‘Classic’ according to the dictionary is defined as “Judged over a period of time to be of the highest quality and outstanding of its kind” – WOW, is this really me??), as well as winning Mrs UK Charity. The
runner up in the Classic category was 67 years old and looked no more then 40!
All the ladies who took part brought something unique to the table but what stood out most was their genuine wish to share a fabulous day with other like-minded women united in the desire to celebrate their “vintage years” whilst doing brilliant, unpredictable things. We are sharing our ambitions, hopes and aspirations whilst ignoring stereotypes, media perception of age and demanding our rights to do what pleases us, just as we deserve, having worked half a century to earn them!
So wish me luck in Las Vegas!
Farewell to midlife crisis! There will never be regret that “I wish I tried”. I am in top gear fighting the encroaching wrinkles, grey hairs, age spots, and laughter lines to name the few.
“Do what makes you happy and be done with all the rest”.
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