Someone said, "When old people look in the mirror, they see themselves as eighteen or nineteen, again."

That is so true. I am sixty-nine now and every time I pass a mirror, I am compelled to glance at myself or sometimes I'll take a good long look and wonder where that wrinkle came from because I know I'm not old enough to have another one. lol

When I was young and in my prime, I had a very nice shape with nice smooth skin. Now, that I have lost practically all my flesh, I have an abundance of skin. So much, in fact, when I lay in the snow or sand to make angels, I do not even have to wave my arms up and down - the skin on my arms make the wings.

But, we have much fun with my "flabs" and I wear a thirty-four long bra when I wear one. I had to laugh when I went for a chest scan and the technician said, "Take your bra off. Or are you wearing one?" I was and I still laugh about that.

Oh, I still try. I do sit-ups, walk, use two cans of paint as my bar bells, stretch, touch my toes and swim and I feel if it doesn't help my figure, at least, it is excercise.

I was rather hefty during my younger days. Those were the days when doctors would prescribe diet pills and we would take those. But, when the prescription was gone, we'd gain the weight right back and I must admit we looked fifty percent better not taking the pills.

My friend and I accompany each other to church or lunch or whatever when I go to visit her out of town. She is still rather big and takes care of herself - good complexion, etc. I think this comes from all the fruit she eats daily. I don't eat much and my weight fluctuates 99-103 pounds. But, it wouldn't matter if I ate five ten course meals a day, I still wouldn't gain.

Some mornings, getting ready to go somewhere, she would say, "lets don't wear makeup." I'd tell her, "No fair. You don't need it." We'd laugh but, I would dab on some foundation, blush and lip balm.

I admit that is so much simpler than when we took an hour or two to get decent for work or whatever. Good grief! To have to tease your hair, get the liquid eyeline just right, struggle with panty hose - in the fifties, mother made us wear girdles and hose with the seam up the back (ugh!).

I admit I tried hard but, now, I am so grateful for the comfortable clothes we wear now and the casual, laid back way of life I live. If I don't wear makeup, I'm still me.

Women try hard because they want to look and feel good. Especially young women who already look good, but, feel they don't.

Me? Some days go by when I don't see anyone. If I happen to wander outside, the children are all excited if I happen to be wearing makeup. At first, I think my grandson felt intimidated by me when I wore makeup. He would tell me to please don't put that on again and be standoffish 'til I took it off.

Learn more about this author, E. V. SHAW.
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