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The Art of Becoming

Years ago (and I mean years ago), I happened to be in the same restroom as a very well-dressed, sophisticated lady who appeared to be in her late eighties or maybe even early nineties. We were both looking thoughtfully at our mirrored reflections, and I had to ask her – I had to ask somebody – why didn’t I see my wrinkles that I knew were there? She smiled and told me, “You never will because your heart is young.”

This may be true, or it could just be like that due to my increasing nearsightedness. But I prefer to think she was right.

Recently, we went to a resort on an island just off Cancun. Once we had boarded the catamaran to take us there, the captain of the boat asked me to come up and sit next to him. How privileged I felt, how proud I was of my new hairstyle and the outfit that I had chosen for the boat trip. How captivating I felt! It reminded me of the last time I had felt that special and could turn heads. (That should have been a warning! The reason that heads were turning to follow me that day as I paraded past the patrons of the restaurant was that I had just visited the restroom and my dress was tucked up into the waist of my pantyhose.)

Ha!

Back to the catamaran and the handsome driver. When we were almost to the island, he leaned over and asked me if I needed wheelchair accommodations. Then it dawned on me – he had asked me to sit next to him so I wouldn’t accidentally fall overboard. My newfound confidence fell crashing into the sea, where it remained the entire time; for all intents and purposes, I believe that it is still there.

I recently had to take one of the Great Danes to the vet. While I was getting him settled in the examining room, I heard one of the vet techs talking to the lady at the desk. The tech said, “Whenever I see one of these huge dogs, it’s with a little old lady.” I peeked outside at the lobby, hoping to see this anomaly. There was no one there. Then I realized – I was the anomaly!

To be continued...