Why do so many women worry about a few wrinkles or a couple of extra pounds that just won't go away... yet they covet anything "vintage and shabby"... saying little chips and imperfections on these things do not matter... infact, the older and shabbier the better... I don't get it??? ...
I have shown these photos I took of an old abandoned building I am drawn to several times before... the paint is chipping away ... and has lost alot of it's original color...
The windows are sagging and the screens have holes in them...
But to me I see nothing but beauty... most of you probably do too... no matter that the screen has holes in it and the windows are sagging some... I love this wonderful old building just the way it is... should someone come in and paint it or remodel it, it would lose the charm that belongs to it alone... Yes, I have my share of wrinkles, and a few extra pounds... I am no size 2... or even 3,4,5,6,7,8..... but I am "Me"! Just like this little old building would not remain the same after a renovation, I don't want surgery to remove my wrinkles or liposuction to remove my extra "fat"... so with today being the first day of Spring, and a time for renewal, I will renew my own commitment to "be myself" and be completely happy with just exactly who I am... age is a state of mind... not a number of years... a dear friend of mine and my sister's was a darling man named Ben who, in his nineties had a new hip replacement... after that he was still dancing circles around men many years younger than he was at the Fort Douglas Officers Club... his thoughts on his surgery... "the only bad part is I will need it again in another 12 years" ... what an attitude!... never a thought crossing his mind that he might not be here in another 12 years... just living every moment of his life to the fullest!... I want to be just like Ben... 
I don't think most men worry about age... so why do so many women???... I don't care about the numbers on a scale or the candles on my birthday cake, as long as I know I am doing all I can to be healthy and happy... I love reading anything Naomi Judd writes... to me she is an amazing woman who has endured many hardships in her life, but her attitude and strong will have made her not only a survivor, but an inspiration to many... I love her thoughts on growing older... ( she is 64)... she is "aging gratefully"... so am I... I hope you are too...Happy Spring to you all... xoxo 
26 comments:
You so do not look like you are 60! No way!! You look much younger than that in your photo. Lookin' good girl :) I'm going to be 47 in December; no wrinkles yet, but I do get the gray hair :( It's actually getting to be about that time to go to my hairdresser and get my color done again. I DO NOT like seeing the gray! Hope you are having a wonderful first day of spring!!
(p.s., thanks so much for your wonderful comment you left me about my awful situation with some other blogger posing as me...it means so much!!)
Warmest always, Brenda
Wonderful post, Julie Marie! I'm celebrating Spring as me too. :)
I will turn 58 in June, and I'm having the time of my life.
Hugs!
Zuzu
HERE HERE!!!!! Good GIrl! Love it!
I am so over worrying about the numbers . . . any of the numbers . . . but it does bug me when I see a new droop or sag. LOL. I look in the mirror now and say "Hi Mom" cause I look so much like her. Even my hands!
I loved these photos. Perfect analogy!
Have a wonderful weekend!!!
Karen
Great post, I couldn't agree more. 3years ago I threw myself a party for my 50th and plan on doing the same for all my birthdays. After losing a sister when she was just 41, I think every year you survive should be celebrated! Marcia
Hi Julie Marie,
It was so nice reading this post...I must confess that I at times feel kind of sad/stressed about aging, but you know you are absolutely right and I agree with you! Thanks for the uplifting message.
Happy day!
xojanis
A lovely post, Julie. Girl, you are beautiful!
I have to admit that I don't much care for getting older, I am a bit vain, but it is what it is and I can't fight it, LOL
Although today I feel and look like I'm 100. I dropped my notebook (PC) on my foot and am in a lot of pain. Don't know if I broke it . . .
xxoo
Hi Julie! Happy first day of spring!!!
You are so beautiful Julie, and you would never know your age by looking at you. But I think this post is beautiful and so very true!!! As I am getting older, I have noticed and thought about these things so much more!
I want to thank you for a comment you left on a certain blog about seeing my bunny!! I love you sweet sis!!
Big Hugs,
Amy
Beautifully stated, Julie Marie and I agree wholeheartedly! I'll be 49 in a couple of weeks so this post was a perfect "pick me up" for me. Thank you!
Love your post, Julie Marie. I love life and love being around to enjoy it. You have said everything so beautifully, I can't really add to it. I always enjoy seeing that wonderful building surrounded by those beautiful roses. Have the loveliest of weekends, sweet friend! Vicki
What a lovely post and a reminder that I needed.
Just a change in seasons and a reminder- such as yours- is enough for me!
Have a blessed weekend,
Laura
Hi Julie Marie,
I think of myself like a fine wine...aged to perfection!
Kelly
Second Hand Chicks
So beautifully said Julie!! Love your analogy too and it is so true. Made me stop and think. I don't mind being 50...oops I am 51 now!! Funny how quickly I forgot that. lol
Hugs~
I love your post Julie Marie! I love how you used the building to bring home how aging actually makes us more lovely. ( I just love old buildings) I like to joke about everything going south, but what really bothers me about aging are all the new aches and pains that come with it. I can't believe that most 54 year olds feel this danged old. I'm just glad that I'm still upright.
hugs
Oh girlfriend, I also celebrated my 60th birthday this year. What can a person do??!! You look great and I feel I am in good company. We need to take it in stride and be happy we aren't 70!!!! But then again, if we are lucky, it's a comin, Char
Hi sweet one ~
What a wonderful written true post !! We need to be grateful for each day we are blessed with .. I know I am soo much more content with myself as I age .. I guess I just realize that not one person is perfect .. And, soo much of the inside is what shows true beauty !! Thanks for sharing from your gracious heart ~
hugs ~tea~xo
Great post! So much to think about...as I'm coming up on 50-I really didn't just type that, did I?...I'm definitely in this stage.
Rene'
Julie,
If you are what 60 looks like than I certainly am not worried about getting any older ;) You look amazing and beautiful and have such a great spirit about life and how to live...it is so inspiring to me. Even at 28 I look in the mirror for those "first" wrinkles {have one starting by the corners of my mouth and one day I noticed it didn't go away anymore when I stopped smiling}...and a few extra pounds I am always wishing away...but this post is a great reminder that at any age we should celebrate who we are....wrinkles, extra pounds and all! Thank you! And you remind me a bit of Naomi Judd now that you mention her ;)
Couldn't have said it better myself. Amen! xoxo Amy
Hello Sweet Friend!
I have missed you and sorry I've been so scarce...lots going on but it's all good.
Oh Julie, I love this post and we should celebrate or wrinkles and imperfections, to me they are a badge of honor. You are beautiful on the inside and out and I could only hope to look as good as you when I'm sixty!
We should never regret growing older, its a privilege denied to many!
*´¨)
¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´ * ƸӜƷ LOVE YOU Sweet Friend, you are never far from my thoughts!!
Hi Julie Marie, I love love love this post and believe it so much. I too am happy with me and the way God has aged me to this point. Having just celebrated another birthday in Feb. I am committed to accepting and being happy with just who I am. I am not perfect, but blessed just the same.
I too read N.Judd and love her wisdom through life experiences. In fact I just read her book called The Transparent Life. Very good!!
Thank you for stopping by sweet friend. We had snow last night with bitter cold temps. A Happy Spring is on it's way soon, I hope.
LOL!
I finally got the bath pics up to share. So glad to be done with the project and back full time in the studio.
Love you, Celestina Marie
I admit, I'll slap on the face cream, no nothing that would break the bank account as I could never do that! I think that no matter what your age it is how you feel inside that counts. I never feel my age, but my body reminds me when I garden too hard! You are right though, men don't look at the few extra pounds, or wrinkles, etc., and I think that there used to be a commercial on it with men looking at themselves as we women do. Let's look at it this way, we are here for another spring, and that's a great thing!
Love your thoughts today my friend... they made me very happy. Hugs to you for a wonderful new week. xoxo
I like the part where you point out that we are attracted to things shabby and chippy, why not allowing us to like ourselves for being the same. I am fine with you I am, I will be turning 50 this summer. I am plan on making signs up saying "Turning 50 and still turning heads". In fact I might have to make up some bumper stickers with that phrase. I do have to say though, I should look as good as you at 50 that you do at 60. Just fabulous. By the way thanks for entering my give away, I am having such fun putting stuff together.
Beautifully written as always Julie. May I add you do NOT look your age, beautiful inside as well as the outside. Age is just a number, and a woman who posesses confidence in herself about getting older is sexy, dont you think. I am 49 and loving every minute of it!
You must share yoru beauty tips with us angel!
Love toyou
jo
xo
Hi Julie Narie, I love this post. I am 65 and very happy to be healthy, happy and somewhat wiser. Age and grower older does not bother me at all. Some of my friends really are having a hard time with it. But not me.
You are a lovely person. Have a great day...julie
Julie Marie,
60! I thought you were 49. Seriously. Don't know where I thought I read that, but that looked about right so I never questioned it, lol Very well written post on "age". I will be 64 in Sept and am retiring 4 days later! The best if yet to be! I love the age I am, I love who I am, but I do also love to "re-invent" myself because I am not one dimensional, to me "re-inventing" is just be happy with all sides of myself.
Blessings,
Lynn
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