The Write 31 Days Challenge – 31 Days,Every Day,One Topic
Day 2
(Day 1 starts HERE)
“Hey hon, I’m going down to the pool for a bit and I’m going to find a seat right below our balcony. Will you take a picture of me from up here? Only if I look sorta’ pretty though because I don’t want a picture where I look bad.”
My thinking behind this request was that I know that one day I’ll look back on this picture and think I looked pretty darn good for 62, just like I now look back at 52 and 42 and 32 and realize I looked good then too, even though I didn’t believe it at the time. Is it just me or do some of you have brains that think like mine too?
As I age my body increasingly betrays me. Earlier that same morning I’d taken a run down Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. Well, to be honest, it was more of a walk with an occasional slow jog thrown in because running in sand is hard y’all! What began as an invigorating jaunt became a heavy breathing, hip throbbing, lung burning return trip to the hotel.
I’ve never been super athletic but I try to take care of myself with regular exercise and (mostly) good eating. These last few years – since moving to SC – have marked the first of some unfavorable test scores on my annual physicals.
An internal betrayal of sorts.
So I’m fighting back by upping my commitment to exercise in an effort to avoid the prescription meds they’re hinting that I might consider.
Upon arriving back at the hotel I donned my shirred-at-the-waist-to-hide-a-bulging-midriff bathing suit and headed down to the pool. Ahhh, time to relax in warm salt water and get a little Vitamin D in the process.
Poolside – where my body’s external betrayal becomes evident.
I used to love crepe paper. Bright, multi-colored ribbons strung wall-to-wall meant a celebration. A birthday party for one of my girls or the celebration of new birth at a baby shower.
Now, as the water evaporates off my body I realize that my skin has turned to crepe paper! Crepe paper splashed with coffee stains, a.k.a. age spots.
I remind myself that old bodies are beautiful. Every line, wrinkle, and scar is a reminder that I’ve made it. They are like banners declaring, “I survived.” Like the T-shirt my daughter once had that said, “I made it to the top of the Space Needle,” only better!
I have determined that I will not let my ageing body stop me from pursuing God’s purpose for my life. Share on XSo in spite of my complaints about this ageing body, (Dear Lord, I know You created me just the way I am and that You love me this way and I’m trying to love every part of me too) I am happier in this stage of life than I’ve ever been. Happier in myself, in my relationship with God and with other people.
AND, in spite of our rough spots:
I am more in love with my husband than ever. When you read our story you’ll know the miracle that is! Share on X
Before we dig in to my very un-Hallmark-like story I wanted you to KNOW this, that even hard stories can have happy endings. Or middles in my case, because I know God has so much more ahead. And though my future days may not all be sunrises-over-the-lake-house, or go the way I’d map them out, I will choose to be thankful no matter what.
Why? Because God’s ways are better than mine. Always have been, always will be. Share on X
I hope you’ll join me tomorrow for Day 3 – When You Find Yourself in Unexpected Places. It’s going to get a little bumpy so fasten your seat belts and let’s take a ride.
Blessings,
P.S. If you missed Day 1 you can read it HERE.
P.S.S. If you like what you’ve read here please feel free to share!
I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!!
Sunday:
SundaysAtHome, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, SilverPenniesSundays, RusticAndRefined, Spiritual Sundays
Monday:
IShouldBeMoppingTheFloor, TheDedicatedHouse, Dwellings, ProjectInspired, InspireMeMonday, CelebrateYourStory, What Joy is Mine/Monday Musings, Darling Downs Diaries, The Art of Homemaking, MomentsOfHope, Glimpses, SittingAmongFriends, InspireMeMonday, GodSizedDreams
Tuesday:
TalkOfTheTown, HomeStoriesAtoZ, AStrollThruLife, CoastalCharm, CedarHillFarmhouse, TuesdaysAtOurHome, TheWinthropChronicles, Rich Faith Rising Unite Linky, Testimony Tuesday,Cheerleaders of Faith,Tell His Story
Wednesday:
SavvySouthernStyle, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesdays, Coffee for Your Heart, MessyMarriage, ThreeWordWednesday, WriterWednesday
Thursday:
ShareYourStyle, ImpartingGrace, EmbracingChange, HaveADailyCupOfMrsOlson, MyRepurposedLife, ADelightsomeLife, KatherinesCorner, Thought Provoking Thursday, SincerelyPaulas, ThoughtfulThursday, Tune-inThursday
Friday:
FrenchCountryCottage, TheCharmOfHome, TheDedicatedHouseAnythingBlueFriday, ShabbyliciousFriday, Faith’nFriends, Dance With Jesus FreshMarketFriday
Saturday:
FunkyJunkInteriors, SaturdaySparks, TheInspirationGallery, Make My Saturday Sweet
Hopeful50 says
I’ve got my seatbelt buckled, my do-rag on, and I’m ready to roll. xo
Patti says
You make me smile Susan. I’d better go out and buy a do-rag myself!
francetaste says
Old bodies are beautiful, but it’s that in-between stage that’s hard, isn’t it? Kind of like with going gray. Once your hair is all gray or white, it’s wonderful, but when it’s just starting to come in, less so.
I don’t worry about my pool body because I wear a rash guard with swim shorts–protects my skin, looks fierce, is comfortable and hides flaws.
I try to run or do fast walks through the vineyards here, and I do Pilates a couple of times a week. The running is for my heart, and the Pilates is for posture. The best way to look good is to stand up straight–makes you look younger and thinner.
Patti says
Adjusting to the change in our bodies is hard indeed. A rash guard is brilliant though and who doesn’t want to look fierce? I love that you are taking care of yourself too. I do love Pilates and hope to get back to that soon. I have DVD’s that I like but our DVD player isn’t hooked up yet in the new house. As for standing straight, you are so right!!! My mom always told me that too and she was so good at doing that. All 4’11” of her. She stood strong and proud. 😉
PJ says
I am really looking forward to what you may post. I’m one of those people that kept checking your site last winter see it you had written anything new. Something told me there were things going on with you, so I prayed for that….(in addition to your husbands foot issue.) Hope he is doing better and the new place is easier on him.
PS. I love seeing your dogs in pics. They make a house a home in my opinion.
Patti says
Haha! Dogs DO make a house a home P.J. Thank you for writing to let me know that you’ve been there waiting for a post while I was away. We have had a lot of crazy things happen here but for now we are in a place of relative calm and I’m trying to enjoy every moment of it. Life is like that yes? Blessings to you my friend. You are the BEST!
Barbie says
I’m enjoying this series immensely. Not sure about my aging bod though!
ginakellypa says
Oh how I am loving readying your story! You make me laugh. And I do dream that one day we can slowly follow heron along the shores of a lake in our kayaks before coming back to shore to sit and be and talk and drink a few cups of coffee. Looking forward to reading the rest of your story!
ginakellypa says
Oops….I am reading, not readying your story! LOL.