::I Will Wear Red::

"Black," mother says.. "You should wear black. It's slimmimng."

Should I stand in the shadow? I want to ask.

"Brown," the clerk says. "You should wear brown to accent your hair."

"No bright color, no center stage, no pizzazz?" I want to ask.

"Navy pinstrips," my sister says. "And you should wear pants to give you height."

How tall will I be in navy pinstripes? I want to ask.

But I do not ask.

I already know.

I will wear RED.

I will walk in the sunshine.

I will wear a yellow flower on a red dress and

I will clelebrate this day.

*Now That I Am Heavier and Older*

I found a picture of myself from when I was twenty

Blonde, tanned, tenative.

The structure of my collarbone was visible above the

V-neck of my casual top.

But now that I am heavier and older

People come to me for advice

They listen to my opinion

Salemen don't try to patronize me.

I can wear what I want

What's comfortable and right for the weather

And always shoes with sturdy soles

Because fashion magazines don't even capture

my attention

Now that I am heavier and older.

I can be friendly or not to whomever I choose

I can introduce myself to people I don't know

Men or women

And I'm not asking for anything, or even flirting

Although if I choose to flirt I can do it elegantly

Now that I am heavier and older.

And I spend much less time waiting for people to call

To fill up my life with their words

And to serve me my self-esteem

In precious carbo-counted portions

Because I have more important things to do with my time

Now that I am heavier and older.

"In such journeys, time is our ally, not our enemy. We can grow wise. As the arteries harden, the spirit can lighten. As the legs fail, the soul can take wing. Things do add up. Life does have shape and maybe even purpose. Or so it seems to me."
- Sylvia Fraser

"This Body"

All my life I've been wearing this hand-me-down that never quite fit.

Changed in shape by childbirth, chocolate and time.

Distinguished by stretch marks, broken veins, freckles into age spots, dimples into wrinkles.

This body comfortable as a rump-sprung jogging suit finally suits me.

"A fair face may fade, but a beautiful soul lasts forever."

*****

Some people, no matter how old they get, never lose their beauty - they merely move it from their faces into their hearts.

The Passing Years

Life passes by so fast, Lord,

I know I'm sure to miss

A vital part unless You keep

Reminding me of this.

There's so much that I want to do,

A lot I've left undone,

So many plans discarded,

And a few I've not begun.

Life passes by so fast, Lord,

How often I've been told,

It always does around the time

That we are growing old.

"For everything a season"

Is wise as well as just,

But I had rather wear me out

Than fall apart with rust.

Life passes by so fast, Lord,

The days, the months, the years,

Lord, keep a smile upon my lips,

And blot away the tears

Teach me to lean upon Your arm,

When pain and sickness strike,

To tell the facts from fancies,

That sometimes look alike.

Life passes by so fast, Lord,

And yet how kind You are,

In granting me the precious years,

That I have had so far.

So let the days grow shorter,

The darkest shadows part,

But put the wrinkles on my face,

...And never on my heart.

~Grace Easley

****

Elder Abuse Hotline: (800) 252-8966

National Council on Aging: (800) 424-9046

I have tried giving credit where credit is due for all the images appearing on this page. Others were either found on public domain sites or were created for me.