Sunday, July 25, 2004

She's not a young woman

There are lines around her eyes and whisps of gray in her upswept coiffure. She's not a young woman, but she was once. She's not like most women who scratch and claw to hold on to the fleeting beauty of youth for a moment longer than really should be allowed. She's embracing her age and relishing all that she has come through. Every crease in her brow has a story to tell and she wears those lines around her eyes like the badge of honor that they are to her. Looking at her face,  you saw the sparkle in her crystal blue eyes and knew she was a beauty queen in her day. The grace with which she faced her aging was inspiring. I looked at her and silently hoped that one day I could be proud like her and relish who I had become instead of facing getting older with fear and regret.

I never knew her name. She was a regular customer who came in for coffee some afternoons while I was a waitress in my early twenties. I never really talked to her, other than to take her order, but years later I remember her face like it was yesterday. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen that was older, much older. Her beauty wasn't something she bought from a plastic surgeon or the latest potion in a bottle. It was the sparkle in her eye; the grace with which she carried herself that had me enthralled. I guess I remember her face so well because it was then that I decided I wouldn't fear the changes that came with age. I would embrace what each season of my life brought forth. By doing so, I hoped that when I was older that sparkle would reside in my eye too.

This entry and an explanation was inspired by Christina.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Some women just age so beautifully. I'm not one of them. LOL! I'm hanging by my fingernails at the edge of a cliff. LOL!

I'm teasing.....I know just the kind of women you mean. There's just something special about them. : )

Anonymous said...

What a great idea!  Wonderful story and picture too Robbie, I may have to try this, I love interactive activities!

Love, Penny

Anonymous said...

I plan on going gracefully into the sunset:) I'm already the only person in my family with graying hair, but I'm too lazy to dye it.

Anonymous said...

very well said.
It's these kind of moments in our life that profoundly changes us.  We begin to think with a whole new perspective.  It changes our direction, and if were wise (like you) we never look back. :)  thanks for sharing! :)

Anonymous said...

Robbie  I think of my Mom that way.  She has such a sparkle to her eyes and is so witty to be 81.  I hope I can be half she is when I am that age...john

Anonymous said...

Robbie, this was my Smitty story in reverse. I wonder now if she ever gave me a second thought.

I love it when you visit my journal. It's the only time I get 10 back-to-back alerts. Come around more often. Thank you for the huge compliment, too, by the way. What you saw as "Stunning," I saw as "sweaty." All in the eye of the beholder, I suppose. Summer in Nashville. What are you gonna do?

Anonymous said...

Robbie...this is the second time in recent days that you've expressed your intention to "embrace the changes" that aging brings.  I think you really believe that!  I hope I still know you in ten years, to see if you're singing a SLIGHTLY different tune...LOL!!!  Lisa  :-]

Anonymous said...

Robbie :)

Each time I visit here I am a little more amazed at the symphony of words, graphics and heart you bring to your journal. It is peaceful and thought provoking. Thank you for the entries you do...some I carry around and think about days after I read them.

Love, Carly :)

Anonymous said...

Beauty is within, wonderful entry :)

Anonymous said...

lovely.... I just love your journal dear woman...... judi

Anonymous said...

What a lovely entry...I hope to grow old gracefully but since my youth has not been that graceful, I can't imagine how my old age would be! LOL
~Kelly

Anonymous said...

What a great entry.  I believe my grandmother had this kind of beauty.  She was such a warm and giving person.  She smiled with her mouth tightly shut because she thought her teeth were ugly [they weren't] but there was always such warmth in her smile.  She had hands that were wrinkled and spotted, always tanned from being outdoors, nails always white and neatly trimmed.  Her hair was silver and shiny - she liked to keep it just right.  She only wore makeup on special occasions.  She was beautiful.  I hope I inherited her good genes and her grace.  We'll see.  ::smile::  

Anonymous said...

Robbie,
What a beautiful entry sweetie!  You inspire me!
Lovish!
Connie

Anonymous said...

BRAVA Robbie!  That was absolutely beautiful!!!!
Hugs and love, Lisa

Anonymous said...

Beautiful writing, Robbie.  It reminded me of my mom, who will turn 77 this year.  :-)

Anonymous said...

{this is where I bow my head and humbly thank you for your words....}


Wow Robbie!   What a tribute, I love how the mind will travel off into its own place with just a few words.  I forgot it was Friday but being an Aries means I like to know the rules so I can better break them.  I believe I'll play today.  Thanks again!!!

Christina

Anonymous said...

Robbie, You are so talented with words and expressing your thoughts. I wish I had only 1/10th of your talent. It is so Great that you share it with the world.
My favorite part is when you say: 'She's embracing her age........'
How Great is THAT!!!! Every age and every phase is something to be cherished. I tend to forget and start feeling like I missed something....but there is nothing to miss....only More to come.
This is really a wonderful entry.
Kate

Anonymous said...

Robbie, Beautiful..Is that your drawing?
V

Anonymous said...

Truly a wonderful entry.  I've seen many women like her in my time (my mother is one of them).  If only I had their courage and your wisdom.  It is inspiring.

And yes ~ is this your drawing (or photo...?)  I love it.   :)

Anonymous said...

One of the best friends I've ever had in my life was a woman named Blanche who was 65 to my 26 when I lived in New England.  She was a neighbor of mine, as beautiful in spirit as in physical appearance.  There is always something to be learned from those who are older than we are.  I hope I can grow old with as much dignity and beauty as she did.

Anonymous said...

Robbie~This is one of the most beautiful and inspiring entries you've ever written! (and you write a lot of beautiful and inspiring entries)

I understand what you meant in these words. Women like her are the only clients I kept. They do far more for me by sharing their wisdom, than I do for them when I style their hair.  I feel a strong connection to women just like this!

Anonymous said...

This is a short but poignant entry, Robbie.  As I grow older, I found myslef envying not the women who were still a vision in their later years but the women who bore their age with such grace and magnanimity.  You can tell they wouldn't trade who they are now with anything in the world.  These are the women whose every line, every gray hair is not a sign of a losing battle but of a life well lived.  I can only hope to be as serene in my old age.