by Belladora

Created on: January 30, 2007   Last Updated: May 14, 2007

Finding humor in growing older at times becomes a quest a senior must seek. Many things we helped our kids do, we now struggle with. We were all the strong people, the ones everyone wanted or needed something from.

For a woman it was cook my food, wash my clothes, take me to school, do my hair, buy me clothes or loan me money. The last thing hasn't changed even with age. It is funny now that the dark side of the moon has arrived that I have begun to question the future, and why all these changes aren't appearing to be wonderful.

Movies have changed so much I hardly recognize them. The imagination in our era took us far beyond what Hollywood offers today and did it in black and white. In my mind I could conjure up a better love scene than most I have witnessed, and I could have done it without a foul word, or a chainsaw to turn it into a bloody horror flick.

Grace now seems to just be an old-fashion name; classy has taken a back seat to dressing like a Carney. Young men can fill up all twenty-five pockets of junk on one pair of jeans, as they hang down below their rears. So, I guard my closet with things I had ten years ago hoping that style will once again return and fashion becomes a statement far beyond someone's name.

Watching Cary Grant, Marlon Brando or James Stewart in their full attire was seeing pure masculinity. Men tipped their hats at a beautiful lady or opened a door with a smile. Nowadays you rush to get in the door before you are trampled to buy that one pair of shoes on sale from a marketing guru's overstated ad campaign.

I also remember when medicine was something I opened for everyone when needed. Now I ask for "not childproof" bottles so I can open them. Blankets are heavier than I ever remember. If there was a place I could order a new pair of eyes I would be first in line so I could see how to put my make-up on once again. Applying eyeliner and mascara is like painting a Mona Lisa in the dark. Sweaters have become my best friend between hot and cold flashes, stiletto heels my enemy, and yet my passion for love still abounds, so all has not failed.

Once upon a time is alive and well with this new part of life; offering beauty with the ashes where I am, and will remain dancing.

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