Monday, 16 February 2009
Acceptance
By Mamsallie
I am now 64 and feel the need to share my feelings on this matter of age.
When I was younger, in my 30s and 40s, I would see older women and say to myself - I will never let myself go like that, I will work out, I will take care my skin and my body. It will be different for me.
Surprise, surprise. Body changes just sneak up on you. You can take care your body, you can exercise till the cows come home, but you’re still going to sag in places that once were taught, you’re still going to get age spots on your hands, you’re still going to get wrinkles on your face, you’re still going to get those lines around your lips. The truth is that from now on you will look better with your clothes on than off.
Age is a state of mind, but the mirror does not lie. It's funny, when we see a picture of ourselves we say, “who is that person with all the wrinkles?” and “that can't be my neck - hello yes it is.”
In the future, I'm going to demand that all my pictures are taken no less than 10 feet back and that I am looking up, never down. Anything closer and I will deny it is me, plain and simple.
Getting older is about being graceful while your body starts its downwards slide and it does not matter if the scales give same number. Areas that were once flat are now moving toward your feet.
[EDITORIAL NOTE: All elders, 50 and older, are welcome to submit stories for this blog. Instructions are here.]
Posted by Ronni Bennett at 02:30 AM | Permalink | Email this post
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We have two choices. Accept the fact that we will never look as we did when we were young or opt to have plastic surgery and announce to the world that you could not accept looking older. I’m close to the same size I’ve always been. However, nothing, and, I mean nothing, looks the same.
Posted by: Claire Jean | Monday, 16 February 2009 at 10:53 AM
I have learned to accept that old woman in the mirror, since I can't change her. LOL
Posted by: kenju | Monday, 16 February 2009 at 04:21 PM
Mamsallie - This was funny! But when I look at my 71-year-old self in my mirror, "that does not lie", I do not laugh. I just see and feel all that you have written.
When Merlin popped out of the woods in Camelot, King Arthur said to Guenivere, "Oh, that's Merlin. He doesn't age, he youthens!"
My fantasy is to be introduced at a cocktail party with, "This is my friend, Sandy. He doesn't age, he youthens!"
Sandy
Posted by: sandy | Monday, 16 February 2009 at 06:44 PM
Sort of like Benjamin Button, eh,Sandy?
Posted by: Nancy | Tuesday, 17 February 2009 at 08:32 AM