I just turned 55. My 27-year-old daughter knows the drill. Whenever we run into women she knew growing up who are my age and have decided not to dye their hair, wear makeup, or buy clothes from this decade, I always turn to her afterward with a look on my face that makes her answer unasked, “No, you don’t look as old as that.” Although I always find Daughter’s comments noteworthy, those are the responses that bring my vanity a special peace.
I pass women on the street with fabulous silver hair and remark to Husband that I wish I had the kind of hair that morphed into a great color as the years pass. He gives me a weak smile and says, “I wish I had the kind of hair that stayed on my head as the years pass.” It’s a good answer, but not the one that makes my hair glorious silver instead of chalky gray. So I continue to search for my Natural Match in the hair color aisle, and bleach my teeth for better contrast.
At dinner the other night with Son, he asked what I planned to do on my birthday. I told him I’d spend the day feeling like I’m still in my twenties, like I do every day. He laughed in surprise. “Really? That’s how you feel?” I told him yes, it always feels like just yesterday I graduated, got married, had kids, worked, played, got married again, and suddenly it’s today. My answer seemed to startle and interest him. He asked me what I recall as the best time in my life. I said it was hard to choose; I’d have to think about it. Then I asked him what the best time was in his life. He thought for a moment and said, “Now. Now is the best time.”
There’s a great photo taken by the late Helen Levitt, whose collected works I gave to Daughter as a gift. As we were thumbing through it together, she stopped at a picture called Kids Dancing, and gasped at how much the little girl resembles me in my own childhood photos.
The unselfconscious pose, the cotton dress, the scrawny arms and legs, they all come right out of my past. My mom even used to cut my hair like that. I had a lovely childhood. In fact, my whole life has been sprinkled with good times, wonderful people, and happy memories. That’s something to think about every day, not just on the milestones. And in answer to Son’s question, now that I’ve had sufficient time to think about it, I have to agree with him. Now is the best time.
Back from Krakow, Poland, Cousin sends birthday greetings
along with these evocative photos. Thanx again, Cuz
Wawel Castle walk
