I Hope

“Its not how old you are, its how you are old.”

I could not help but think of that realistic quote from Jules Renard this week when one of the most inspirational women I have ever met celebrated a birthday.

There were two schools of thought in this domicile; one she was 101; the other 103.

I chose to believe the latter because it had been whispered to me sometime ago and with justifiable pride.

The lady in question has been a lesson in living since I arrived bewildered and yes, just a. mite unkempt after a long drive from the beloved home I abandoned,

As she welcomed me, immaculately grooomed, coiffure intact and the essence of style. I wondered if she had just stepped out of Bergdorf’s; and when did she get here?

I never discovered the secret of her always impressive image, but have come to be even more impressed with her mental agility.

Of course, during the years we both shared the trauma of covid isolation, she has aged, as so have I (and presumably you, also), but she has done it with such impeccable class.

I often wonder if she could share her secret with those of us who wander the aisles of life plucking depression and fear rather than jugs of joy from the shelves we pass.

I wish and cannot but hope that some of her amazing charisma might be just a touch contagious.

If so I would truly welcome it.

She has demonstrated exactly:

“Its not how old you are, its how you are old.”

And I am in awe!