Aging: The Mirror

by Lynn
(Mountains of Utah)

When I was a young teacher, I remember sitting at lunch in the teacher's lounge and hearing a woman (age about 40) say "I can't believe I'm not 16 anymore... I FEEL 16... how can I have aged so much when I still feel so young inside?"

I didn't know what she was talking about.

Now I"m much older than she was at that lunchtime and I know exactly what she means. I still want to dance, and flirt, and wear lacy underwear and curl my hair. But I recently was shopping and looked into a mirror and thought "Who is that old lady... omg it's ME".

Rather disheartening and makes me wonder if I should bother with the curls and lace.
But I know I should, if only for me myself even if it doesn't impress anyone else anymore!

Wendy: Absolutely... at this point in life, why not do what makes US feel good? It helps us to stay in a good mindset, keep happy and productive. Yes, wear lace and curls if that's who you are! THANKS for writing!

Makes me think of the song "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack. You can hear it below AND
the lyrics are below too! It's really quite beautiful if you haven't heard it before! Enjoy!



I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty-handed

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances but they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth making

Don't let some hell-bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

Dance
I hope you dance...

Comments for Aging: The Mirror

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Aging?
by: Lynn

Actually I think I"m still very attractive. I work out, eats lots of fruits & veggies along with the chocolate and am slim. the problem is other people don't!

I remember some man in one of my volunteer groups consistently calling me "young lady"... very patronizing... I got sick of it and finally said "It's obvious I"m not young so please don't say that anymore"
His answer "I thought it was a compliment"

I said "But it is obviously untrue, now if you said "pretty lady" or "slim lady" and you really believed it, THAT would be a compliment."

But he never said either one. :o)
Jenny Joseph's poem
by: Anonymous

Here's another to go with "I hope you dance":

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple

With a red hat which doesn't go and doesn't suit me.

And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves

And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.


I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired

And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells

And run my stick along the public railings

And make up for the sobriety of my youth.


I shall go out in my slippers in the rain

And pick the flowers in other people's gardens...


The ending of the poem pleases its readers when the woman says . . .

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?

So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised

When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.


This is excerpts, I'm sure you can find the entire poem online.

I need to get my house sold so I can move to where it's warmer and wear the shimmery lacy clothes instead of pounds of fleece and sweaters I'm so sick of!!!!

Thanks to all for your comments.

I'd like to talk to someone about the advisability of divorce in older age... someone who has had to make that decision and how you made it.

Lynn
THE MIRROR
by: GINA, ALLEGANY, NY

LOVE THE SONG. GOOD RESPONSE TO LYNN ABOUT THE MIRROR. FELT THAT WAY MYSELF FOR A WHILE BUT HAVE GOTTEN PAST THAT. YES, LETS KEEP DANCING....THANKS FOR YOUR SITE WENDY...GINA
Aging and the Mirror - TO LYNN
by: GINA ALLEGANY, NY

Lynn,

I certainly have felt and thought as you stated in your letter. We feel invisible all of a sudden and feel though we look tired and unattractive....

Solution... for me it's putting on makeup and fixing my hair and my face and smiling every day. solution!!!

We have too make the most out of what we have. Number one, you must have a good attitude, and respect for yourself. Find glory in the little things. Think pretty and young. It will take effect.

The other day while walking in the mall iI noticed a young man (30"s) coming in my direction and smiling. He said excuse me that I am staring at you but I must tell you how attractive and appealing you are, though iI know your much older than I . Yes, honey, I said, thank you. you have made my day. I am 75..

Lynn, don't lose heart. You never know who is looking and not with critical eyes...

gina to lynn

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