Decades of Body Pictures

During the teen decade, way long ago, I never gave much thought to the body picture. Of course, everything was muscle firm and perky then. That was the Spandex decade. Somewhere in my late thirties decade, after pregnancies, I noticed the body picture had changed to include things with names like cellulite, stretch marks, increased foot size, decreased droopy boob size, laugh lines, spider veins. I was very busy then. I lived with it. The Chenille decade. Occasionally, I’d try the miracle creams or start an exercise program, which I managed to keep up for a few weeks.

Suddenly, sometime between sixty and seventy, another noticeable body picture presented itself. The doctor’s office poster of my venal system became visible on my body surface. Flesh started to droop and hang from upper arm and leg muscles. Lines even developed in my knees not to mention what happened to my face. A neck waddle appeared right around Thanksgiving one year. Leg extremity hair no longer needed attention more than twice a year, January and June, unless the gyno appointment interfered. Witch hairs appeared on my chin along with a mustache. A gray six incher hair that I might have missed with the depilatory started haunting my nightmares, and so I invested in a magnifying (3X power-very scary!) mirror to check on the possibility since eyesight isn’t what it used to be. This is, I have decided, the crepe decade. Looking more like crepe now, a lovely material for a swell party outfit. I’m learning to live with it. It’s high maintenance though..

Promise you’ll keep this info confidential!

The Eclectic Pen » All Stories by Shirley C.

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Comments 1 to 4 of 4

IONE L. (zaneygraylady) - 4/16/2007 7:19 PM ET

It's already starting in me.

Marta J. (booksnob) - 4/17/2007 10:31 AM ET

I love this, and now that I'm over 50, boy can I relate!! I think "National Geopgraphic" centerfold when I look in the mirror!

Margaret S. (morgan2010) - 4/18/2007 12:19 AM ET

Oh, how many daughter have to pull those hairs on our chinny chin chins? I sit at stop lights with tweezers and pull hairs. Other drivers think its crasy. but I look a lot better, when I get where I am going. And oh, I thought 40 was bad untl 50's kicked in with arthritis, droppy boobs,and grey hair in my earbrows that stick out like I have been electricuted. But life is what it is and I happy to be here. Thanks for the story, it was fun!

Beverly W. (Sundownr) - 4/29/2007 12:20 AM ET

It's your sense of humor and good spirit that will keep you young at heart, and avoiding that mirror. Thanks for sharing.

Comments 1 to 4 of 4

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The Eclectic Pen - Body Decades

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