And, thinking about aging and Body Image, It did, however, make me think back to a statement my Mom made to me, several years back. I've always tried to remember this, because it's not just a statement she provided for ME,,,,,but, I thought, upon her commentary, for All of us, Women in General.
Mom Said: "When we're 30, we look back at pictures from our teens and 20's and think, ' I looked pretty GOOD then.' When we are 40 or 50, we look back at pictures from our 30's and think, 'Wow, I wasn't half bad, then.' She told me, in my 40's, "it's just being comfortable in our own SKINS now,....accepting WHO we are right now. Instead of looking back and thinking "I was Better then."
I am Blessed! I get to work part time. Craft and Create most other days now. I find old vintage and cast off things and think, "What can I do with THIS? How can I use THIS?"
My kids are GROWN (My youngest was just walking when the photo above was taken). But I was also a single mom then, raising two boys on my own, and even though TIMES were good,,,,,,all my paychecks went to raising my two boys, alone, so life wasn't easy.
So Back to the Present? I didn't find the perfect garmet/outfit to wear to Silver Bella. I won't look 20 years younger or 20 pounds Thinner. I'm just gonna be ME. Wrinkles, Rolls, and all! Love ME, love my face/body/etc. Whatever!
And, I'd like to think that in 10 years, I'll look BACK at my photos and use my Mother's 90 something's Year Old Wisdom and think, "I looked pretty GOOD, then."
Have a GREAT weekend! I found a GREAT Antique Shop in Everett today on my way home........I'll share my finds, etc. Tomorrow nite!
Hugs, Love and a "Bus,"
Shell
"Accept YOU for YOU! You are an amazing individual with stories and wisdom to share.......My life is richer in knowing YOU and learning all you have learned in your life. " I simply cannot WAIT to hear about your experiences!"
Shelly...Your mother is a truly sage woman. She's so right! I'm sure you'll be beautiful at Silver Bella. Can't wait to see the photos of what you're going to wear!
ReplyDeleteThanks also for sharing The Doobies "What A Fool Believes". Those were the days, weren't they?
xoxo
Donna
Shell - No matter what you wear - you will be the beautiful belle of the ball! Love the story about what you did way back then. I have a very good friend who retired from Microsoft in Seattle way back when - I bet you knew him!
ReplyDeleteVicki
Well, we have discussed this topic a bit, haven't we my dear?! Loving ourselves exactly as we are is so much easier said than done. But it's truly the beauty that springs from inside of us that is the most important kind of loveliness. (Don't you feel sorry for those who don't get that?!) And, hopefully, we grow closer to God, giving us a beauty to look forward to beyond what we could ever comprehend on this sometimes cruel earth.
ReplyDeleteShell, you are a total stunner to me and always will be!! Have tons of fun at Silver Bella . . . and take pictures!!!!
xoxo Debi
Hi Shell, Great post and so true! My mom once told me her 50's were the best time of her life because she finally accepted who she was. Have fun at Silver Bella!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Sherry
All I can do is giggle. I was just passing by a mirror and thinking, no midnight snack tonight!! Gotta lose 5-10 lbs soon! ;)
ReplyDeleteI do that all the time though-- looking at old photos, and think I wish I still looked like taht!... I guess can't worry about how you LOOK, but change how you FEEL. You cant stop aging, even if you run like hell backwards! Good luck, have fun at Silver Bella!
What an inspiring post. If people would spend less time wishing they were something else then they'd have so much more time to just enjoy life.
ReplyDelete