I'm Not Young Anymore--Guess what? So what!

[TheresaMomof9]

 

                "Oh phooey! There's another one!" I said to myself, looking in the mirror, as I discovered a wiry grey hair poking out from my thick light brown mane. Carefully, I separated the lush locks from the ugly mutant one and pluck! Out it came... but then I spotted another. I poised the tweezers into position and hunted the other one down too, like a sportsman seeking an evasive prize deer. As I pulled back my hair to the roots I could see the little booger was trapped. Pluck! Out was the evidence of my forty-some years of living. It's happened. I've hit middle age.

                This whole thing snuck up on me. Just yesterday, it seems, David and I were planning our wedding and then welcoming bundle after bundle of joy (nine bundles in all-thank you, God!). Next I knew, we were realizing those bundles have their own ideas and opinions (both a happy and frustrating revelation) and then we were teaching them to read and signing them up for YMCA soccer, tending to sick bed after sick bed as the flu hit everyone at once, and soon realizing the greatest joys ever in simple things like spending an occasional Sunday at Lake Michigan playing in the sand and sun, and sitting regularly at Mass (taking up nearly the whole pew) together.

                 Another blink and the oldest ones left to college, and my sweet oldest daughter is now flipping through college brochures too and scheduling her senior picture. My youngest is three. THREE!! How did that happen? I've always had a baby on my hip.  I don't get mistaken for an older sister of one of my children like I used to. I exercise regularly but my shape is stubbornly stagnant in the same form. (Not quite ‘hourglass' nowadays, more like ‘shot glass') .  And the laugh lines-oh the laugh lines! I obviously enjoyed making them yesterday, but they don't make me smile today.

                What is a woman to do?

                Modern society suggests a woman should panic. Society implies the richest parts of our lives are over by my current age. Hollywood reinforces that image and pays homage to youth by hiring mostly young attractive females for the prime acting positions. The actresses make appointments with plastic surgeons almost regularly, exercise obsessively, tan habitually, and many local women follow suit. "Tuck your tummy!" "Lift that face!" "You deserve it!" are messages emblazoned across literature from local doctors willing to try to help us turn back the clock and "gain who we once were." Should we?

                I have to admit. It's tempting. I would never elect for surgery to alter my looks, but it is an alluring idea to regain that youthful feel and appearance. Who doesn't want to feel like they're 20 again?

                A little-quoted scripture passage speaks to this issue well.  "Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?" (Isaiah 43: 18-19)

                My faith tells me plainly tells me, "The best is yet to come." It tells me God is in control. It reminds me that I am exactly where God wants me to be when I try to do His will and walk with Him in faith. God is "doing something new" with me and my life although I am no longer very young. (My father-in-law who is in his early 80s would still consider me very young. I need to remember that perspective too) God gives me more wisdom and patience and opportunities to grow in virtue as I age. He gives me the gift of watching my children grow in faith and goodness.

                 I must tell you that it is incredibly freeing to be past that awkward, single, 20's stage when I didn't know if someone was paying attention to me because he was truly interested in my ideas or because he just liked the way I looked. It's great to have focus and know who you are. I'm not a size 6 anymore. But that's ok.

                I would be lying if I said I didn't care at all about aging. I do. I've already told my husband when the Grey overtakes the Brown I'm going to be writing regular checks to the hair salon to maintain my "natural" color. I'm planning on continuing exercising for health and fitness, and I'm still going to pluck those wiry hairs for awhile. . But I'm not going to fret about where I am. I know it's right where I'm supposed to be.

 

 

[styler7]

Sep. 13, 2009 at 2:26 PM

I say 'not very much'

Every day of my life just seems to get better as I go :)

[TheresaMomof9]

Sep. 13, 2009 at 2:27 PM

That's because you're blessed with a good husband and good attitude! :) Nice to see you today!! How's that new baby??

(Original Poster)

[ironkitten]

Sep. 13, 2009 at 2:58 PM

I wish I knew then what I know now!

I don't know who said that, but they are correct!  I embrace getting older, I just don't like it!  They grays (silvers) are inceasing and the wrinkles are trying to form, but I wouldn't trade anything!

Peace and Love

[older]

Sep. 13, 2009 at 2:59 PM I WILL BE TURNING 60 THIS MONTH AND I FIND THIS TO BE AN UGLY NUMBER, I GET TO COUNT FROM ONE ALL OVER AGAIN ONLY WITH A CENTURY PLUS TEN UNDER MY BELT. 2 YEARS AGO, I DID A TUMMY TUCK AND A FACE LIFT, I KEPT LOOKING AT THE WOMAN IN THE MIRROR AND DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THE OLD WOMAN STARING BACK. ALL THIS SURGERY GAVE ME ANOTHER TEN YEARS TO RECOGNIZE AND REALIZE THAT I AM OLD! IT SORT OF GAVE ME A NEW LEASE ON LIFE, THE FOLDING SKIN IN MY TUMMY BOTHERED ME MOST THAN THE SAGGING IN MY NECK AND FACE BUT AS LONG AS I WAS IN A SURGERY ROLL AND COUKD AFFORD IT WITHOUT FEELING GUILTY, I DID IT! I AM JUST SORRY I DIDN;T DO THIS SOONER. I FEEL GREAT I LOOK GREAT AND IT IS NOT SO SCARY TO LOOK AT THE WOMAN IN THE MIRROR ANYMORE AS A RESULT I NOW GO TO THE GYM EVERYDAY WORKING ON FORTFYING MY BONE DENSITY, LIFE IS GOOD EVEN AT 60!

[TheresaMomof9]

Sep. 13, 2009 at 10:47 PM

Thanks for stopping by, ladies!

 "older"--I'm happy you feel great :)

"ironkitten"--I also wish I knew then what I know now. I'd get straight A's for one LOL

Have a great day, ladies! Go US :)

(Original Poster)

[Stickmom]

Sep. 13, 2009 at 10:56 PM

Good post! :-) I think having children (especially young children) in the home helps "us" stay young. Staying busy and active really helps! I think you look great (and young)!

[TheresaMomof9]

Sep. 13, 2009 at 11:44 PM

Stickmom, you are a sweetheart. Thank you!

And I think you're right about having young children in the home making us stay young. You sure look young in your avatar. LOL

(Original Poster)

[oldermomof5]

Sep. 14, 2009 at 7:49 AM

There are mornings ( today was one of them) Were the hip creaks and pops and just doesn't want to move. Oh well I've earned it. From hard work and fun. Sure I can't jump up on a bar and dance like Idid just two years ago, but so what. A few years ago I was the younger one notsure of myself looking to the older ones for advice. Now it's my turn. You're right the little ones do keep us young. Our youngest is 7 getting ready forfirst communion. Grandson is 7mths. Grand-babies keep you young also. I love getting older.

[Luckybear05]

Sep. 14, 2009 at 4:12 PM

I felt like 30 was old when i was 21. Now im 29 thinking damn what did i do the last 10 years. I feel really old sometimes. I dont wanna be old. I still wanna be that 18 year old spirited person i have always been.