photo by John Sandel
I've never been one to lie about my age. I'm beginning to consider it, but I don't think I'm fooling anybody.
It's hard to get used to how I look as I get older. I think we all feel this way, at least around a milestone birthday. Maybe when I turn 61 it won't hit me as hard. Some days I'm fine with how I look. Some days I'm not. That was true when I was 30.
Isn't age a surprise? All my life I've known it was happening yet it's still shocking to see the signs: the muscles of my upper arms as loosely defined as a boiled potato, the little bumps that appear in odd places and decide to stay, the wrinkles that deepen like windblown crevasses on the surface of Mars.
That last one is more reality than metaphor.
Wilma is unconcerned about age, although she has a milestone birthday coming up, too. She'll be 5 in June.
One of the countless things I love about animals ~ they care not about our age, either. Crevasses, craters and mashed potato wobbles ~ as long as they are parts of us, it's all good to them. {PS: Lovely piccie of you and Wilma!}
ReplyDeleteWilma is 35 in human years- just a babe.. When I turned 60 (last yr.) I cringed, just like I cringed (even more) when I turned 50... A friend of mine couldn't even say the word 50... When his doctor asked his age, he spelled it out.. For me, I was so shocked that I went to a recommended downtown L.A. jeweler and bought myself a gorgeous diamond ring.. something I always wanted... I was told after 50, it gets easier to take..the numbers are inevitable...I still get taken for (15 yrs.) much younger guess I can find comfort in that?
ReplyDeleteYes, I wish we could convert our ages into doggie years.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice photo and post, Petrea. Enjoy your new decade of life.
I'd love to see that iconic photo hanging in London's National Portrait Gallery. If only you'd been one of Mick Jagger's girlfriends...
ReplyDeleteA fine portrait of both of you!
ReplyDeleteGood thoughts, all. We have much to reflect on in every decade.
ReplyDeleteI admit I'd like to have my portrait in London's National Portrait Gallery. But I don't think I'd have wanted to be one of Mick Jagger's girlfriends.
I have mixed feelings too. But since younger is not a true option, good to enjoy what one can. My skin has the wrinkles, bobbles and bits, but it also is very soft, something I remember loving about my mother's skin as she aged.
ReplyDeleteWilma looks like she owns the joint. And you know, I'll be she does.
ReplyDelete"Wrinkles, bobbles and bits," Jean, I like that. Kind of like "Lions and tigers and bears."
ReplyDeleteHiker, she does if she has anything to say about it. So yes.
Great pic! You look fantastic, but I know what you're talking about. Though I'd be happy if my "wings" were like boiled potatoes instead of boiled spaghetti! :) I hit 67 last year and it's not that I lie about it, I just don't mention it, it's become pretty irrelevant as I don't feel it anyway. Sometimes I do think "pushing 70" and now THAT is a big one! Wilma is guarding the door, protecting you from any thoughts that you are not beautiful, inside and out!
ReplyDeleteI agree, it's irrelevant! And it's funny, just think how relevant seven years' difference would have been to us 50 years ago.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading this as I'm about to turn 72 in another two weeks, so I'm identifying with these thoughts. I just read a message spreading through social media by the late Tan Sri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis shortly before he died, and he was having these same kinds of thoughts and expressed them very well. I would have posted the link, as I did on my Facebook Page, but I know links can seem suspicious in blog comments. The end of the piece was "TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU’VE EVER BEEN, YET THE YOUNGEST YOU’LL EVER BE, SO ENJOY." But I also loved reading what came before it. I also think your photo is full of beauty and grace.
ReplyDeleteYour cute as a button. Bobbles and bits be damned
ReplyDeleteHello, Barbara, welcome! That's a lovely sentiment. A good thing to remember. Thanks for the compliments on the photo.
ReplyDeleteThank you, PA. I think you're right. We must ignore and/or embrace our bobbles and bits to head out into the world and be ourselves.
ReplyDeleteI figure that by our 60s we have earned every bump, hump and wrinkle! Wear them proudly.
ReplyDeleteHa! Yep. Some I've worked harder for than others.
ReplyDeleteA wonderfully relaxed looking portrait... and when you reach 90, you will look back and think 'how young was I in this image?!' ;-)
ReplyDeleteIsn't that the truth, Geoff? I know I felt that way at 50 looking back at 40. At 40, I felt at the top of my game and didn't look back at 30 at all! I'm feeling good these days, too.
ReplyDeletePetrea, I'm older than you... :-)))
ReplyDeleteAha! That proves that age is all about wisdom, beauty and talent.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photo of the 2 of you! And happy birthday! I hope you had a grand day.
ReplyDeleteI relate -- I've had a few "surprises" like what you've mentioned also. I've read a saying: "it takes courage to grow older" - and I'm finding that to be true....
This is the easy part—when we can still hike, work, enjoy ourselves.
ReplyDeleteSixty sure looks sensational! Delightful photo. I know what you mean about age being a surprise though. Forty wasn't too bad, but fifty last year definitely stung. But as they say, it beats the alternative, so I try not to dwell on the number.
ReplyDeleteAnd what a life you lead, Katie! What adventures you've had in your 50 years. If anyone were to ask me who lives life to the fullest, you're the first person I'd think of.
ReplyDeleteDon'T you worry.
ReplyDeleteBoth you and the voffy will do fine.
Age is just a number.
Well, belated for sure, but Happy Birthday...and many more! Wonderful photograph that makes me smile.
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