Fountain of Youth?

I am a vain woman. 

Let me clarify, I'm not egregiously vain but I've always been aware of my assets and have tried to play them up.  The fact that I stare at every pore on my face when I get out my magnifying mirror is what constitutes the depth of my vanity.  And the fact that I used to buy so much make-up and products for my skin.

But no more.  I am no longer seduced by glossy magazine ads or commercials for the latest product claiming to erase fine lines, tighten pores, and make me look at least 10 years younger.  Bah!  Humbug!!  Even if the model is approximately my age she has been airbrushed or shot through pink gels to look youthful and radiant.  Now logically I always knew this, but since when does logic play a role in vanity. 

So last week I went into my bathroom and threw away almost all of the "age-defying" products on the counter and kept the one or two that I had used for years and like.  Then I went through my make-up and did the same thing.  Then fact that I hardly ever wear make-up these days helped a lot.  Of the products I kept were two that I have found that actually do what they say; Estee Lauder eyelash primer and Aveeno moisturizer with soy extracts.

And what you ask does this have to do with the Fountain of Youth?  Recently on the news I was watching a story about a rare condition called Progeria that strikes children, their bodies age rapidly and their life expectancies are only into their teens.  A doctor was explaining that they had isolated the gene functions for aging and the hope that they can find a cure for this condition.  And the side benefit would be a "fountain of youth", as it were, for the rest of the population.  In a way this sounds like science-fiction.  Each generation lives longer than previous generations thanks to medical advances, but how far do we want to go with this. 

I'm happy with how I look, yes I have some wrinkles and age spots but my skin still breaks out - thank goodness for oily skin.  I'd like to creak a little less but that can be helped by diet and exercise.  And the gray in my hair - I earned every strand!  I don't intend to fight aging 'every step of the way' like the old Oil of Olay commercials used to say. 

The best way to have a 'fountain of youth', at least for me, is to live a happy positive life.  To surround myself with music and laughter.  To remain interested in the world and to always learn.  And peace of mind is tremendously important.  To quote a line from a song from the musical "Annie", 'you're never fully dressed without a smile'.  With that I don't need no stinkin' fountain of youth!

Unanswered Prayers

In early May I went to Ohio to visit family, celebrate Mother's Day, and see my dear friend Daria.  She and I drove around the Oregon District, after a wonderful dinner at Coco's, and then we drove to St Anne's Hill where I used to live.  I drove down the street where an alcoholic a$$hole I once dated lived.  And then we drove to Oakwood where we managed to go around in a circle, coming from different directions, three times (this isn't really germane to my theme, it was just so hysterically funny at the time).

Anyway, a few weeks after I got home I reflected back on the time when I was involved with the alcoholic and all the prayers I prayed that he would change his ways (I eventually walked away from the relationship and never looked back). But then I started thinking about all the other times I have prayed for something over and over again and it hasn't come to pass.  And I realized the prayers were answered, just not in the way I was hoping for.  There is a higher power that knows what I need and won't always answer the prayer for something I want in the way I want. 

When I think about various things I've prayed for and they didn't come to pass I am overwhelmed by a sense of thankfulness that God chose to answer the prayer in his way, not mine.  My way would have eventually led to chaos and unhappiness and that is certainly not the way to live, not anymore.  And it makes me happy to know that God has my back!