Don't Look In The Mirror
Unless You Are Applying Makeup

by Gretchen
(Tustin, California)

I have had that moment when I did not recognize myself -- I had made the mistake of being in a photo with my daughters and my grandchildren.

"Who in the heck is that old woman?" I thought, and then CRAP it's me! I am 66.

People say I don't look 66, but I don't believe them half the time. The other half of the time I do believe after I have had a good night's sleep and have just done a truly outstanding job of applying makeup (not a lot, because that ages--just some eye shadow and blush).

And I try to OPEN my eyes to eliminate my sagging lids.

Yes, it is depressing--but we have to GET OVER IT.

Down the street from me lives an outstanding woman who just turned 90. She has beautiful gray hair and dresses well, and her makeup is reasonable. She runs a comb through her hair and she is out the door (yes, she is walking!).

She doesn't DWELL on her age -- she is too busy being involved and doing things. Granted, she has been spared some ugly diseases (my dear mother suffered through Parkinson's). Those who have maladies have it harder, that is for certain!

For the rest of us who have been (so far) spared, all I know is we have to enjoy every day of good health -- to hell with the fact that when we look in the mirror or see a photo of ourselves we recoil in horror that we have aged!

Gratitude is part of attitude.

Growing old is definitely not for sissies and we have to maintain our bodies and our minds like crazy--but we are worth it!

Fight every day to be the best you can be.

Wendy's Two Cents: WOW Gretchen, great page! Yes, we try to age our best (and our healthiest) but attitude is 3/4 of the battle! Absolutely!

I did have to laugh when you said you keep your eyes OPEN to prevent sagging lids... grin! I can imagine you looking bug-eyed, trying to look youthful... yes, I'm bad!

Thanks for sharing!