Call it Karma. Call it reaping what you sow. Call it just rewards. Doesn't matter what you call it, it still boils down to an inescapable truism in life: You get what you give!
And by the time you're fifty, what you have given is written all over your face.
You know the old saying: "BY AGE 50, WE ALL GET THE FACE WE DESERVE"
I know some very beautiful old women whose faces radiate the goodness of the soul who dwells within. Sometimes, when I see a particularly beautiful old woman, I am reminded of the frank, innocent beauty of a little girl. It is the beauty of a face that greets the world with the serenity of no pretense.
I love to look at Grace's beautiful face. Grace is in her 80s. There is such a sweetness in her demeanor. Her silver hair is simply cut, and held with a barrette. She wears little or no make up and usually has on a pair of tennis shoes and a cotton dress when she goes to church. And what a good soul Grace is! She's a retired nurse, the widow of a doctor, mother, grandmother, and friend to many. She is and always has been a generous benefactor and proponent of dozens of charities. Grace's life has been about giving and her good works and love are written all over her beautiful face!
And then there is my friend Peggy, The Rock. Peggy, also is in her 80s. She had open heart surgery a few years back but it didn't keep her down for long. And she NEVER complained. She was up and taking care of everyone else in no time. She has a wry, quirky sense of humor, an infectious laugh and eyes that invite one's gaze to linger.
And then there's beautiful Ruth M., eighty something, still playing tennis and working as an advocate for elder citizens as well as the poor and homeless people of Knoxville. Ruth, who some years back, defied convention as well as the law, by opening her home and giving sanctuary (for several year) to a young, undocumented Guatemalan couple who had been targeted by a death squad. Ruth opened her home to them AND their two small boys. Fearless, glorious Ruth!
Yes, Grace, Peggy and Ruth are the three women I aspire not only to BE like, but to LOOK like when I'm in my 80s. May I grow into that kind beauty!
But then, there are the unfortunate old faces that are permanently etched in scowls. We've all seen them. I know such a woman, also in her 80s, who frankly, bears an uncanny resemblance to a lizard….well, a dolled up lizard with dyed curly hair, long, witchy fingernails, and blood red lips.
I've had several unpleasant encounters with the Lizard Lady over the years. Until this year, I thought I was the only one that had a problem with her. But lately, I've discovered every time her name comes up, somebody else tells me another horror story about her meanness. Apparently, she has always been mean and petty. And believe me, she's got the face to show it…..reptilian!
So sure, there are many reasons for being kind, generous and unselfish. It's really the only decent way to live. But if decency isn't enough, perhaps vanity will be. Just remember, you WILL eventually end up with the face you deserve. Wouldn't you rather end up with lovely, crinkly laugh lines instead of a permanent, ugly scowl?
Be Well and Good Luck,
Martha Maria (Dogwood Daughter)