September, the Gateway . . .
. . .To Whatever Comes Next
Sep 1st, Last Day of Minnesota State Fair
Sept 2nd
Okay, a bit of an exaggeration but that’s what it seems like.
Note:
I am not commenting on the horrific tragedy that occurred at Annunciation Church last month at this time. I simply don't wish to think or talk about these seemingly daily occurrences just now, perhaps later. (And BTW, thoughts and prayers are actually worse than nothing.)
How about something pleasant?
On to September, a truly wonderful month in Minnesota. There's still plenty of time and great weather for golf and enjoying the outdoors (though sadly those two are often mutually exclusive.)
Yet, at least to me, there is also a sort of melancholy tone to this month: the end of the state fair, kids heading back to school and days becoming shorter than nights. Then, the leaves will turn, drift down, stupid pumpkin-spice latte's appear and . . . I don’t know, it’s just hard not to think about the quickening passage of time in September.
Which reminds me, and I think most everyone of a certain age, that the passage of time seems to speed up as we get older. (Yet another rotten trick by nature.) I won't bother you with the technical reason why but according to experts it is actually true, it does appear to pass more quickly. Also true is that everyone has their own way of dealing with the passing of time.
Some better than others.
Here's one way that I think you may recognize.
In my archive of ideas for posts I rediscovered this brief article from a dozen years ago. (I save a lot stuff - my how time flies!) It was an item about the difficulties of facing the ravages of time by someone who, IMHO, is one of the most beautiful humans ever, Julie Christie. (And I admit I have always had a crush on her.)
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| Julie at 68 |
She says, and I quote: “I’m tempted every time I look in the mirror, I know what I look like, then I look in the mirror and think, “I don’t know who that is. You want to get your familiar face back and when you see all the lines around your chin, neck, eyes and mouth, and your bloody arms and everything else. . .”
I know the feeling, sister!
Some might say that is a shallow or foolish way for her to look at it. But we're not her. She has always been "beautiful" and has always known it. It was who she was. Maybe that’s why this is so difficult for her to accept. But what about the rest of us mere mortals?
We Neanderthals er, I mean men, certainly can't speak for women. I have heard an old saying that "men dress for women and women dress for . . . other women." (If true that tells you something right there.) In any event, it may be gender or it may be cultural - lord knows our society is much harder on women - but ladies are entitled to whatever view they want.
Now men, on the other hand, definitely seem to think about aging in their own unique way. (When they think about anything at all except sex.)
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| Tom Selleck 27 |
Don’t get me wrong, no guy enjoys watching the invading army of time take its toll our powerful bodies and smooth but handsome faces any more than women. (Some people say I had a striking resemblance to Tom's brother, Bobo Selleck.* Well, except for the hairy chest. Okay, and the handsome face but otherwise . . .)
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| Tom age 80 (What stupid hair) |
Somehow, however, I think our outlook is different. That is, men place less importance on our outward attributes and for two reasons:
(And sure, okay, some people have better genes than others - or more money.)
1) Unlike women, nobody really cares what we look like including ourselves (well, MOST of us.) Alternatively, many of us are delusional and still think we really do look like young Tom (beer belly, hairy ears and all.) Whatever. It’s never really been the defining thing for us as guys (well, most of us) and,
2) We care more about the inside stuff. Inner beauty or deep important thoughts? LMAO, heaven forbid! I mean health as in aches and pains and other unmentionably bad stuff. If all the parts work AND we're still reasonably healthy AND you’re not a complete Quasimodo - let alone Tom Selleck - then, as a guy, the aging process is being kind to you. Note: if you're a guy and don't agree with this that's okay but you're probably just weird.
Well, that’s my theory (you're free to laugh now.)
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| Julie today 25 or 85, you will always be "Lara" to me. |
You will be happy to know that Julie is much more comfortable with herself and age now. (I, on the other hand, will continue to see myself as a handsome, young stud - to hell with reality!)
Epilogue:
In the intervening years, I now have a daughter who has a PhD in Gerontology i.e. ("older adults.") Great timing, huh?! Anyway, I'm sure she frowns on this sort of shallow thinking about aging and appearance, and rightly so - but it's hard to ignore thousands of years of evolution.
Perhaps the main lesson here, as if you need reminding, is to appreciate getting older because there's only one alternative and it is very bad.
I apologize for the detour so back to our lovely autumn.
Tempus fugit - but there is still plenty left to be excited about fall - and life - so enjoy it!
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| FORE! (Splash) |
Happy autumn!
*I stole this from another late great friend who would often introduce himself this way. (What a card, right?)
Music to pass the time . . .
Quote Du Jour
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| Resist |
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