What Does Wrinkles Have To Do With Vanity???

 To set the scene; my husband and I were in a hotel room getting ready to attend a funeral and I was putting on my make-up. The hotel bathroom had a very strong magnifying mirror for helping to comb the hair and do the makeup. I commented to my husband that I didn't like getting old. I was noticing that my face was getting more and more wrinkles. He took my face in his hands and said: "That's right I can see at least 14 more wrinkles. You could name them after your children." I laughed at that; but maybe he had a point. I am sure some of those wrinkles were caused by some of my children. If I added all of my children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren I would have 45 wrinkles to name. That actually sounds like a chore and would probably create more wrinkles.

OK, I would say that almost all women have a little bit of vanity in them. Perhaps, I should share a little bit about my sweet mother who was so beautiful and always looked good throughout her life. She  was married and raised her family during the 30's, 40's and 50's. In that era it was expected and I do say expected that when a husband came home from work he was met at the door by his gorgeous wife; hair perfect, makeup on, dressed in a dress with a clean apron on. He then was escorted into the kitchen where the meal was prepared and served in the finest manner. The children were also at the table with clean hands and faces. No arguments were allowed at the dinner table, only polite conversation.The meal of course took the wife all day to prepare and was scrumptious. If for some reason the meal wasn't quite ready the wife would give him a kiss and send him into the Living Room to read the newspaper. Of course, this was the model; and I know there is realism to this story. However,I must say that my mother pretty much fit this description to a tee. She had her hair done by a hairdresser her entire life. She would never be caught dead without her makeup on and she always looked nice when my dad came home from work.

The other night I was putting on some Pond's cold cream to clean my face. All of a sudden I could see my Mother in the mirror; it hit me like a lightening bolt; I am just like my Mom! I remember her putting on her face Pond's cream and I couldn't imagine how my Dad could even kiss her face at night. However, I must admit my mother had very smooth skin her entire life. Of course, age wrinkles were there; but not as much as some. The other thing she did was wrap her hair in toilet paper to preserve the curls and sleep on a silk pillowcase. What fond memories these are. 

My mother came to live with me for the final months of her life. We had a huge 90th birthday party for her and I remember well helping her with her makeup and her getting upset because I didn't do her eyebrows quite right. About three weeks before she passed away; she was very weak and didn't get up very much. On most days she would usually sleep until noon; so on Sunday I would leave her so I could attend meetings. On this one Sunday she had gotten up earlier and I made her comfortable and told her I would come home in between meetings to see how she was doing. I was sure she would fall back to sleep. When I arrived home and came through the door she yelled out at me and said: "LeAnn, I have been watching an info-commercial on Sheer Coverage Makeup; is it a good make-up." I replied: " Yes Mom, it is a good makeup; in fact that is what I used for makeup on your face for your Birthday party." She then said: "Why don't you order me some." I replied that I had plenty left. I had to laugh a little just thinking about that she was still worried about how she looked and she was 90 years old. I must admit that I was grateful for a Mother who cared about how she looked and wanted to look her best. Some would say that my Mother was vain; I think she was just beautiful inside and out and taught me the importance of looking my best and caring about the body that I have been blessed with. Yes, I am over weight a bit; and I wish I wasn't growing old; but I think my Mother proved that growing old is in the eye of the beholder; that you can always look your best and care for yourself no matter what age you are. Of course, I will continue to put Pond's cream on my face; and I can assure you my husband will still give me a good night kiss. Yes, I have wrinkles; but I have earned them and I think I might name a few of the large ones after my children who are such a blessing in my life.