I was talking with my Dad on the phone a few nights ago, and during the course of our conversation he told me about some of the work he's been able to do with a senior living community, and how some of the elderly ladies get a kick out of his hugs...everybody likes a good hug! Anyways, after we hung up, I started thinking about our conversation which led to thinking about the older generation that we often overlook or fail to take time to interact with. If there is one thing that I've learned from my dad, (and there are many things!), it is that there is just something special about the people who have quite a number of years under their belt.
In thinking of the people who are considered "senior citizens" one of the things that popped into my mind was wrinkles...now I'm not discriminating here or stereotyping older people, it's just a fact of life that we all will have to deal with sooner or later. Anyways, as my mind wondered in the philosophical realm, here is what I came up with...there is wisdom in wrinkles. And behind every line is a story waiting to be told. Sometimes you know the story without even having to hear it. Such as a woman who has smiled so much that the dimple in her cheek is permanent...I have a grandma like that! You just know that someone is a joyful person when there is a permanent dimple mark...dimples don't lie, y'all! In the same way a life lived in anger will show up too...turn those frowns upside down folks, or they just might stick---for life!!!
I'm not really sure where this post is going exactly, (haha!), I'm just trying to write down some mind's ramblings. I guess one of the main thought processes that I went through was thinking how, in this age of botox, lifts and the like, we cover up and change the stories that made us who we are. We, as a society, put so much emphasis on looking younger and being wrinkle-free that we fail to appreciate the beauty lines that we've gotten from living life! I'm turning 30 in a couple years, and I'm really trying to embrace the thought (and the reality!) of getting older. I hope that when I'm in my golden years that my face will tell a story of a life lived being joyful.
Anyways, my mind is still rambling, but sometimes it is hard to get things out of it and down "on paper" and still be able to make some sense. I do know that I am going to try to start being more in touch with the older generation that I come in contact with. I want to be able to appreciate them for who they are, what they've been through and slow down a little to listen to their stories...the stories spoken or written on their beautiful faces. There is wisdom in wrinkles. And someday I know that my face will be full of the lines of the story of my life. What will your face say about you?
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18 hours ago
2 comments:
Beautifully written, Gracie. In my work I love to figure out where the "wrinkles" come from and to hear their stories. Often times I find myself watching them and trying to figure out where the wrinkles came from. This one lady for example, she is a very timid and shy lady and you can see it in her face cause when she is worried the space between her brows will wrinkle up and her chin will go up. (She has many wrinkles there!) It's interesting to see how someone's personality comes out in lines. I agree with you though...I hope when I am in my older age my face tells a story of peace and joy. LOVE YOU GRACIE!
Thanks for the reminder of how precious our elders are. In my job I get to work with a high population of elders, and they are by far my favorite patients. They have many, many stories to tell, and there is always great wisdom in their stories. And yes, their wrinkles always give insight to their personalities. I know a few people with the permanent frown lines....yikes! ...Thanks to you Grace, my new goal is life is to have permanent laugh lines! Thanks for your insightful words. Miss y'all.
Love
Kayla
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