“Grow old along with me!
Rita Marcus, an 80-something Very Old Grandmother blogs from England and is on page 28 of Ari’s book. A small sampling of more eye candy blogs: Style Crone, Idiosyncratic Fashionistas “growing old with verve”, A Femme d’Un Certain Age, Not Dressed as Lamb – btw, I LOVE the play on words with this blog title…are you familiar with the adage “mutton dressed as lamb”? It means an older woman who dresses much, much younger. For me, this is a fine line…I like to see women dress the way it pleases them, makes them look good but I detest that “little girl look” of bows and ribbons and, especially, the way some women will stand with one toe pointed inward, lilt to the leg as if they are four years old. UGH! That’s not sexy, it’s not sensual, it’s sick!
A couple of years ago, Daddy and I were talking. He was thinking about running for his third term as his district’s Board of Supervisor’s representatives. He said, “I want to run but if I’m elected, I’ll be in my mid-80’s when my term expires.” He paused and there was silence. “So, Daddy,” I asked, How old will you be if you don’t run and get elected?” Daddy is serving his third term and his constituents love him, but the other politicians…not so much. -smile-
So, what is it you want to do? What’s your dream? What are you allowing to come between you and your dream? WHY? What’s keeping you from living your dream? Remember, the only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth. Try on some Courageous Risk; plan your work and then, work your plan. GO FOR IT!
Blessings ~ this anonymous prayer found at Healthy Spirituality
Dear God,
Please untie the knots that are in my mind, my heart and my life.
Remove the have nots, the can nots and the do nots that I have in my mind.
Erase the will nots, may nots, and might nots that find a home in my heart.
Release me from the could nots, would nots and should nots that obstruct my life.
And most of all, dear God, I ask that you remove from my mind, my heart and my life all of the am nots that I have allowed to hold me back, especially the thought that I am not good enough.
Dear Thistle,Your thoughts are so deep, fresh, spontaneous, honest and interesting. I love the prayer about the knots. Thank you!
Aging – a gift given to those of us who survive long enough! Right now my courage is getting up each day to see what life is going to be – and I trust that the sun will rise, God is in heaven and someday I will be also.
Love the Advanced Style concept – better than saying eccentric little old ladies!
Sandra— that's an amazing and inspiring story about your Dad— now I know where you got your spunk!!! He totally rocks!
And— I'm just not so sure how I feel about this getting older thing–
Xo
Vicki
I have only just found your blog and I want you to know that I am enjoying reading through the archives.
I have added this blog to my favourites – thankyou for your inspirational writing.
Kay (England)
Hi Sandra!
Thanks for the dose of cheer this AM. I loved your story about your Dad.
I agree about dressing your age, so unappealing to see women in skimpy things designed for teens! I've found that shoes are the perfect way for me to still have fun with my wardrobe and add a bit of zing to what I wear!
Grace
I just found your website and love you already! Aging is good! I am pro-age. You must visit Cindy Joseph at boombycindyjoseph.com and read her philosophy. I am a better woman because of her.
hi sandra!
i thoroughly enjoyed this exceptionally
helpful blog post and visited each of
the blogs you suggested.
so fun!
I love the classic beauties of yesteryear…Maureen O'Hara, Sophia Loren, Ann-Margaret, Doris Day….and I want my photos to be shot thru that lovely veil they all look so good behind!
What I hate about getting older is the aches and pains that come along for the ride. Inside I still feel 25, but outside, not so much.
This was a great post! I hope you are doing well, God Bless, Kerrie
I hope to be like this woman also or at least still blogging when I'm older! Great post!
Thanks for sharing. These women are an inspiration. I have several amazing older women in my life. It seems less scary with them around!
For me, the hardest part of getting older is watching all my friends and relatives die. And all the constant pain. Nevertheless, I am living for the moment and trying to have fun and help others every day!
I'm so thankful for my mother. She dresses so sensibly and colorfully, too. She reads and reads and serves my dad with all her energy. She serves others, too. She could have done anything with her brains and drive and she chose to support others. I'm so proud of her. She's my scout leader still, and such a comfort.
Sandra, I love this post!!.. and the rut/grave quote!…
I hope to age gracefully and with a little lilt in my step. It's a privilidge! Not a given! ….
I am not afraid of getting older, but of forgetting to think with fresh eyes as life gives me options. I hope my opinion is always one that seeks God's wisdom and discernment and does not wallow in tradition "just because".
All this after I saw a news story revealing the abominable statistics of euthanization of old folks in the UK because the old folks are a drain on the economy and distressed medical systems. To de-value our unborn and elderly is a very evil thing. Thanks and praise to Him, He does value us at all stages of our lives, and if we know Him we spend eternity with Him in the best place of all with those of our loved ones who also love Him!
Remind yourself "it is just a number!" Also . . . remember to Live and to do so with Joy, Humility and Excitement. We walk LIFE one time . . . why not LIVE IT!
Thrilled your dad "went for it" and lived.
WE are America . . . Each time WE choose someone to be Commander in Chief there will be someone who is not happy. I think it is time to embrace our commonalities and work together instead of giving power to greed and mistrust.
One thing I am finding as I creep into my fourth decade and live in Florida is that age is just the number you get when you subtract what year you were born from the year it is today. I see more men and women in their 80's that can run circles around me and my friends that are in my age check box.
It's all relative.
I think dreams are important no matter what age you are, and it's interesting to see how they change as you change. Today my dream is for my husband and myself to buy 10 acres of land that is still within 10 miles of the coast and start a small farm. I want to get dressed up every morning and go to work, then I want to come home and have dirt under my fingernails, bruises from being headbutted by goats and bee stings from working a hive.
My dreams are different today than they were last year. They are more mature, they are more within my reach, and most importantly, they are mine.
I think what keeps many people from their dreams is fear. It's kind of like the dog who chases the school bus every morning. What's he gonna do when he does catch it?
Dreams are good, dreams are special and they can come true.
(and I want to dance on a bar top someday…)
howdy Sandra.
Sweet Summer Blessings to you.
To me getting older is a gift….i thought i would die at age 6 then thyroid cancer at 55…instead i see life as i age. Things change and newness comes from things that i hadn't known about along the way. There are challenges and health can changed…sometimes to the better. Not everything is always wonderful with an old body, but that's not ones all in all. We still have a spirit and soul.
right?
d
I truly enjoyed reading your words…I am not afraid of getting old…for as long as I grow old healthily…this post made me think deeply about my life and everything good I want to happen..on possibilities and conquering the odds…thank you…you just inspired me to do my best, today and all the days of my simple life…
I agree with you totally on aging and must share that my 93 year old mother-in-law remarried about 18 months ago: The groom turned 100 last month and they are on a paddle boat cruise down the Mississippi River! NOW that's aging with style!!
I enjoy reading your thoughts, Sandra, as always. This is a great post. I love older women, always have … which is great … because I turn 60 this year.
I loved the knot prayer, too, that Jean posted last week.
Wow this is great, so cool about your Dad too. Thanks I needed a good wake up call this morning as I was staring at the silver that is in my hair.
It is a good reminder. I had this very original aunt. She was a nurse until she retired and then she became a private nurse. She retired again and just wanted to garden. A doctor called her to come nurse one of his patients, and she asked how old they were. The doctor told her and she said, " I am twenty years older than your patient." She said, "no way."
The doctor said, " " I had no idea you were that old" She never was,
She was married 7 times and out lived all of her husbands. She was a foster mother who had hundreds of kids live in her home.
I always think I would like to always be that " young," Well except for the 7 husbands part. I don't think I would like that. 🙂
Thanks for sharing I enjoyed this post today.