Aging gracefully

With another birthday around the corner, I’m faced with the prospect of aging gracefully. I am a simple woman, not one who is trying to find the fountain of youth. I’m perfectly comfortable in my own skin. I’m have no interest in covering up, filling, plumping or lifting any part of me. Having fair skin has afforded me less sun damage thanks to sunscreen all my life. The extra weight around my middle refuses to disappear. I consider it battle scars from lost pregnancies and multiple emergency surgeries. I’m proud of those scars and how I handled every adversity that has come my way.

I don’t spend a lot of time over-moisturizing or exfoliating. Fake nails and eyelashes aren’t my thing. Honestly, it take me less than 15 minutes to get ready to go somewhere. And maybe that shows, but I’m okay with it. This is who I am, and what you see is what you get.

Having said all that, I had my regularly scheduled visit with my gynecologist today. She reminded me that certain tests are no longer necessary at my age. Thanks for the reminder doc! It took me longer to walk from the parking lot to her office than the entire appointment did. And while everything checked out just fine, I was certainly feeling my age when I left. I texted my friends a picture of the dreaded stirrups, noting it was the most action I’ve gotten in the last year and a half. My sense of humor is definitely getting better with age.

If you’re concerned with aging, I’ll leave you with some very wise words from my idol:

“Getting older is not something to be afraid of. It’s a privilege.”

Betty White