Who Am I?

Someone I’ve known for a long time… 20 to 25 years, a casual friend from work connections… suddenly called me “Mrs. Rhodes” recently!  He’s a peer from the not-for-profit work world where I’ve spent most of my time and he is about the same age.  I don’t even think I answered him.   

At first I didn’t know what to make of it.  Then I was royally pissed! 

Does he think I’m way older than him now?  Do I look older to him?  Do I need Botox and a face sanding?  Worse yet: I am forgettable.  My hubby says maybe the guy had temporarily forgotten my name!  Okay.  We both know this happens to us occasionally, so maybe that’s what happened.  Should I give him the excuse of a “senior moment” and forgive him this once?

I’ll wait and see what happens next time I run into my old “who now thinks I’m older” dear friend.

Circle of Short Do’s

As I sat in a circle of women the other day, I looked around to see everyone had a very short hair-do except me.  They all looked the same.  I call it the “I give up” hair style worn by women after they get older.

I remember my mother felt like this was something that was inevitable and necessary.  She would mention it every so often when I had long hair in my 30’s.  I used to tell her to look at Jackie Kennedy… she had long hair and she was old.  As I rightly noticed, movie stars and celebrities wore longer hair.  The rules didn’t apply to them?  Sure, they probably spent a fortune on keeping their lustrous locks.  Was it always about money and time?

I am old now and wear my hair in the medium length because I like it that way.  Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be?  Don’t we finally get to choose without being bound my some archaic fashion rule?  It does take more time and money as my gray hairs take over and the mane become dry, but it’s not impossible.  

I thought times had changed until I sat in that circle of women.

Behind the Masks

Everywhere I look these days I notice a “frowny face”!  I don’t know if there are more of them now or if I’m just noticing them more.

It makes me wonder what’s happening behind those unhappy faces.  People seem more stressed and it shows on their faces.  I try to smile whenever I can find a reason --- smiling at an inappropriate time causes suspicion --- and sometimes I get one in return!  I try to say a kind word to break the tight expressions I see around me, but the sadness is catching.

Life is never perfect; attitude goes a long way in improving our mood.  We all must resist spreading this epidemic of worried expressions or the “frowny faces” will take over our planet.

Shadow of My Past...

I'm sharing a link to my old blog on BlogStream... it will be open until April 30, 2011... only the curious need check it out:

http://seeritarun.blogstream.com/

Hello, Blogspots!

I'm one of the BlogStream refugees searching for new and old friends!  Hopefully, this is the beginning of a wonderful friendship as we share life's experiences through our own words.  *** Hugs, Rita B