Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

Dear No Longer,

I’m empathetic to your feelings. I turned eighty this summer. However, since I was never considered beautiful, I believe it’s been easier for me to accept my “old lady” appearance.

Perhaps you can reframe the vision you see in your mirror. The wrinkles, age spots, and the neck all tell a story. Consider feeling less sad about how you look and more proud and happy about what it all means.

We age even more when we judge ourselves ugly or unacceptable for becoming older. As older women, we are the fullness of ourselves, all the stories and risks we’ve taken, and all of the life we’ve crammed into our human package.

We’re beyond lucky to be old. Less than two percent of the world’s population is over eighty. Did you know that? Your face is your treasure and your badge for having lived a long life.

I don’t know about you, but my face is of a person who has success stories and tales of failure, rejection, and acceptance. It’s also the face of someone who has learned to be (somewhat) less judgmental and more empathetic. It’s the face of a woman who is still constantly redefining herself, learning, growing, finding ways to make a difference.

When you sweep away the negative thoughts, what do you see? Who have you become? What have you endured? Where do you want to take that one-of-a-kind face? Upon whom do you want to smile, that still lovely smile?