I’m a grandmother now, but this Mother’s Day I will miss my mum as keenly as any child

‘Every Mother’s Day is a reminder, if reminder were needed, of our good fortune’: Elizabeth Quinn with her mother, who died two years ago, and her granddaughter Photograph: Supplied

This Mother’s Day marks just over two years since my mother died. At 91, it wasn’t unexpected. She was one of the increasing number of Australian nonagenarians born in the 1920s and 30s. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were fortunate indeed to have had her around for so many years.

The growth in the rate of Australians living into their 90s has raised the age of “orphaned” baby boomers. I knew my time with her was running out, and was grateful for the benefit of 60-plus years of her wit and wisdom.