Beautiful Women

Check out this article from the Huffington Post. It is fabulous. It compares Joan Rivers to the REAL beautiful women over 50.

It saddens me to see how we continue to perceive aging as something degrading and ugly. Look at Helen Mirren, she's 64 and gorgeous. The idea is to look beautiful for whatever age you are, as opposed to trying to look something you are not. Make sure to share this article with your young daughters pointing out the beauty in age. Let's turn around our misguuided idea that youth is the only beauty. Age produces its own beauty and grace. We just need to begin to recognize that. Every time we cringe at our gray hair and wrinkles we are adding to the negative perception that society has brainwashed us with. Let's celebrate our age, our beauty, our wisdom and our differences.

Grandma

There might be lessening of physical ability, sagging breasts, crows feet, forgetfulness and weakening eyesight to sigh about but there are also many blessings that come with age. Being a grandparent is one of those. I am eagerly anticipating welcoming another granddaughter into the world sometime in November. Now I am enjoying watching my son and his girlfriend prepare for this blissful event. I am thrilled to be a grandparent and my heart sings when I hear my granddaughter yell "grandma". I can not fathom that there are women out there who dread that word because it might make them look old. I welcome it with open arms and a heart filled with anticipation and excitement. I would not miss one second of grandmotherhood.

I am healthy and joyfilled, I can climb to the top of Mt. Wilson, I can run 10 miles, I feel great and look wonderful. I am a grandma.

Mt Wilson

Yesterday, my sister, Carol and I hiked up to the top of Mt. Wilson. It's a climb of over 5,000 feet in 7 1/2 miles. It was hot and dusty and difficult. At one point I asked her when we would stop being compelled to do these hard physical feats. Her answer was short and simple: "when we're dead."

I believe she's right. I will be 60 in three years and feel I have many more difficult, challenging miles to conquer. Hurray for the wisdom that comes with aging.

Carol

Now I have two siblings who are on adventures for charity! My sister, Carol, soon to be 50, has just kicked off her 1000 mile journey to bring awareness to the plight of the women of the Congo. Yes, she is walking the 1000 miles before the end of the year. Hurray for her for dedicating her time to a very worthy cause and for showing us that the limits we think of in regard to aging can be overcome. Check out her vision and help if you can.
As the older sister, it makes me think I should be doing something too...

Jeff

My brother is at it again. In his quest to raise awareness for the need of fresh drinking water around the globe he is racing today. Since he can find no one to race him, he is racing the sun. On Oahu, Hawaii he is racing around the island, running, biking and paddleboarding. The idea is to get around before the sun sets. He is amazing. At 50 years old he laughs in the face of age limits. Check out what he's doing and donate if you can. http://www.kozhawaii.com/

Change

Please tell me someone else thrives on change! It seems the older I get the more I want change. Any kind, something as simple as changing the furniture around in my living room, cutting my hair, learning a new way to do something. Maybe I am scared of getting stuck in a rut. It is actually a wonderful thing. I am always in a flux, a change mode, a "who knows what's next" mood. Life can be as exciting or boring as we make it. I want to experience every drop of passion, excitement and awe that I can as I move into these next years. We all know aging is not for sissies so why act like one? I wish you bliss and passion and adventures every day of your life, no matter how old you are!