Story Lines

story lines

 

There are pages

written on my face

line by line

that read the story of you and me and others and things

Some are in-depth stories.

Some are new and half-written

Some have yet to reveal their punchline.

Some I didn't even know until this morning; what a surprise!

Oh, on the story's page, the day holds a constant edition. 

Should I erase some lines? Rewrite them the way I want to see them?

The pages are becoming worn like an old loved book, dogged ear, bookmarked, memory charger, and there are a few underlined sentences to remind me that I what to remember that moment, but how could I forget when it is written on my face,

I see you.

2006 I wrote:

 

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My Vavie, my Grandmother often told me that she felt young, not one day older than fifteen. The thoughts she had or the feelings she felt seemed to be the same as when she was younger. The only indication that she was growing older, she'd say, was her reflection in the mirror.

"I see myself in the mirror and think, WHO are YOU!? That old lady certainly can't be me. Where did she come from? How can I feel this young and look that old?! Who I see in the mirror does not reflect the "me" I know. So I don't look in mirrors anymore."

Feeling young runs in my family's blood. My Father rode a Harley Davidson and could keep up with any of my four brothers. My Mom wakes up before six in the morning every day and goes like a motorized bunny until nightfall. What I see in them is a passion for life; they are motivated day-to-day-to-day pleasures of living. There isn't anything, certainly not age, to keep them down.

The mirrors in my home are antiques. The mercury glass is spotted with age; looking at them, I can differentiate myself from the dots, spots, creases, and other effects of the antique glass. I might not feel like an energized bunny, nor could I manage to ride a Harley Davidson. Mostly, I hear the words of my Vavie, "Who are you?" When I see myself in a mirror, reality presents itself; I am becoming a woman of a certain age.

The story across this page continues.

Though it is starting to resemble a road map leading me forward,  

new roads ahead.

 

 

 



Comments

17 responses to “Story Lines”

  1. I love the idea of my face being like a well loved book, full of folded favorite pages, notes in the margins, maybe a coffee stain or two. Thank you for putting that image in my head.

  2. Beautiful words always
    Thanks for all you share
    Jeanne

  3. My favorite full-length mirror makes me look slimmer.😈

  4. I love this so much. Like RebeccaNYC, I love the idea of pages of time and experience being written on my face. You are a beautiful writer. Thank you for your gift.

  5. Life is implicated. We must learn to accept it.

  6. Bonjour à tous,
    Thank you as always chère Corey for sharing your story and welcoming ours.
    Ah, the American agitation (probably in other cultures as well) with women of a “certain age”; accepting/acknowledging just how fortunate the world is to have us. Women of wisdom we are.
    All this reminds me of a fun story from a few years ago, which I may have already shared. Studying the beautiful but frustrating French language here in Nice, I decided to dash to the midwest for our then four-year-old’s birthday (conveniently on a Saturday). It was rather easy to go from France to St. Paul, MN on Friday for the party, then return to class on Monday.
    My jet lag obviously added to my storyline and Nora said “Grandma, you’re old!” (ah the honesty of children!). Yes I am I responded, admitting it to all, especially myself. Then this wise woman thought; hm, a teachable moment for this precocious girl and asked “Nora, what else is Grandma?”.
    Although she has never been at a loss for words Nora looked at me with a blank face for a few moments. Meanwhile, I sat hoping she may say something like I’m nice or, she was happy to see me for her birthday, but nope, nothing, nada, RIEN!
    Finally I thought, this must be my teachable moment and responded “I will share with you what else Grandma is; I’m lucky, because you don’t get to be old if you’re not lucky”.
    So dear wonderful women of a certain age, how lucky are we to have these pages of life available for all to read and from which we know all will benefit.
    Bon dimanche,
    Grand-mère de chance 🙂

  7. Susan in Zurich

    Love this post. Thank you for your words, your wisdom.
    I will save it to read again on those days when I wake up bewildered by what I see in the mirror.
    *Most* days, I remind myself it is a gift to grow older and to have these lines that often seem to develop overnight! 🙂

  8. Jennifer Phillipps

    Your face shows the character and wisdom of your years on this planet and we all love knowing you, even if it is across the sea and far away! Cheers Jennie, NZ

  9. Texasfrancophile

    So well written. Thought provoking. Also love the comments.

  10. Colleen Young

    Kathryn Hepburn said “Life is like a tapestry, the more colorful and complicated, the more interesting.”
    I try to apply these words of wisdom with grace when looking in that mirror!
    Keep smiling your beautiful smile!

  11. Irene Thomas

    Yes, Corey, our roadmaps are filling with more twists and turns. I am thankful to have these hills and valleys to travel. I am so glad our paths have crossed.

  12. You speak for so many women. Quicker than we thought possible time and experience have left their marks. But the the young girl inside remains. Thank you for another lovely post.💗

  13. As I am entering middle age, I am so grateful to you for sharing your beautiful view of getting older. Each day is a gift ❤️

  14. I raise my glass to you, my friend, and send you love and great fondness.

  15. Shelley Noble

    I love both of these posts, Corey.
    Happy to have turned 60 the other day. Gratefully
    You are Beautiful in every way.

  16. It sounds like you are meditating on age the past few days. It is something that does hit at times and then I have a good night sleep and feel like the bunny again, but somedays I wonder where that energy has gone.

  17. Leigh Elliott

    Embrace the stories that your beautiful face tells; some are not as privileged to live as long as others.
    A face of experience’s is more interesting as the years pass.
    You have a wonderful generous mouth and full lips you lucky girl!!
    😘😘

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