Remarkable At Any Age… With or Without Wrinkles
Posted on Tuesday, October 14th, 2008
I was pedaling my hinder off today on my new Trek, along with my daughter, traveling along the pavement at a mighty clip, when I glanced down at my hands. It’s startling to notice the incongruities of your own body. I was feeling stronger riding my bike than I ever have. My legs and back are solid and I can stay on my bike for a long, long time. There is nothing wimpy or “old lady” about my bike riding.
So, where did these hands come from? They don’t seem to match the way I was feeling riding my bike on this beautiful, crisp Fall day. I can’t count the age spots anymore, the wrinkles don’t disappear with even the best beauty lotion, and the nails seem a bit brittle and undernourished. Who’s hands are these? When we paused at the top of our “power” hill for a drink of water, I did a quick stretch… yep, I can touch my toes, do side bends, squats and hip flexors, so again, where did these wrinkles and age spots come from? How can my insides be ticking along like I was a youngster, while my outsides betray me?
My Grandma, at age 86, told me once that when she got out of bed each morning and saw herself in the mirror, she was startled. She would forget she was that old! Is that what we all will go through for the rest of our lives? Well, now that I think of it, it’s actually not so disturbing. Truth is, I’d rather get out of bed, feeling young and being surprised to see myself looking old, than to get out of bed feeling old and looking as old as I feel. Because, if you start the day feeling old and worn out, who cares how you look. I want to live a remarkable life, wrinkles and all, and smile at my old face every morning as I head out the door to go pedaling my hinder off on my new Trek.
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So, I’m sitting here, at my desk, with YOUR 11-year old grandson next to me (ironically, sitting in a rocking chair), and I looked at him and said…
Me: Your Grandma has a blog.
Him: What’s that?
Me: It’s a website, look. She’s a pretty amazing woman.
Him: You just figured that out?
Out of the mouths of babes comes the undeniable truth.
I wanna be like you, mom!
Love, N
I just loved your blog! I have been wanting to write one for quite sometime but never find the time! lol I guess I should say I want to write a blog instead I have been wanting to. You are right ….sounds better! I miss seeing your smiling face around our office and I hope soon I see you all the time! Take care and I can not wait to read the next entry!
Michelle
I’m glad you chose my hobby of bicycling for your amazing life. Thank you for sharing.
Bicycling is a great hobby, isn’t it! When my daughter and I are on our bikes, we’ve noticed that all the bike riders we meet up with have a big smile and “howdy” for us and everyone else. The runners are a bit less happy… I wonder why? We commented on that to each other not too long ago and it got me thinking that maybe riding our bikes just gets us back in touch with that 8 or 10 year old self that was always so carefree. It’s a thought…
It’s funny how we perceive ourselves from the inside. I’m 48 now, soon to be 49, and I feel like I’m 16…and sometimes act like it too…:) I totally agree that I would rather be startled at an older face looking back at me than feeling old…I truly wonder if I will ever feel old…oh…and I too ride a bike, instead of owning a car I find it much more practical, and I never have to worry about parking…:) Later Patti.
Lyle
Oh, I envy you, Lyle. I have to own a car because of the location I’m in. But, I ride my bike as much as I can, when I can. Mostly I’m riding for fun and it keeps me feeling young. It’s amazing how, when I hop on my bike, I immediately feel younger, and stronger. And you can tell when you pass other bikers that they feel the same way! Glad to hear you’re still a kid inside, Lyle, and plan to stay that way!
It’s nice to finally quit letting the mirror tell us who we are! 🙂
Patti