She Has Presence

Yesterday, I stood and cut fabric for eight hours straight and then right past closing time because there was still a line-up three deep at the table. It was so busy, and there were so many bolts piled around me, that it felt as if I was drowning in fabric at times. It's an interesting perspective on this thing that I love.

Right now, the store is in a mall, next to a gym, down from Starbucks, and across from McDonald's. If it weren't moving, I might consider a gym membership although perhaps it's not necessary since my body is already getting a twisting and bending, lifting and leaning, workout. My feet didn't hurt quite as much last night. This is good, especially as next week I work two eight hour shifts back to back.

Last week and this, I read for thirty minutes before work at the McDonald's. Both times, the place was crammed - as in every table is full - with seniors. They were either chatting in groups, sitting in couples, or reading the newspaper alone at their table. Apparently, it's the meeting place.

Both weeks I noticed an attractive, well dressed, woman - a senior who stands out in a crowd of seniors. There's something about her that draws your eye. She has presence. Both times, I was reading and looked up and immediately honed in on this particular woman. The first time, it was her coat and how she put it on to leave, slowly, carefully, immaculately getting every aspect just so, her movements graceful and sure.

This time, she arrived wearing smooth fitting jeans tucked into knee high, burnt umber, suede boots with a short, black, lambskin coat that she removed as slowly and carefully as she'd put the previous one on. Her hair is mostly white, streaked with black, every strand in place, styled in a modern cut to go with her designer glasses. She doesn't wear make-up. I wondered about that as it would have completed her look but then, I love make-up.

They took a booth. Her husband sat down to read the paper. She read a fashion magazine.

I wonder about my generation. Will we evolve into a bunch of curly haired grannies like the rest of the room or will we maintain a sense of style and presence as this woman has? While I think what you wear and how you look is partly about your fashion personality and your interests, already, at nearly fifty, many of the woman I know are "letting themselves go" to use an old phrase. To each our choice. Me? I find this woman inspiring. I want to age in a similar way. I would have loved to sit down with her and talk about life and fashion and style and aging. I imagine we'd have a lot to talk about.

Talk soon - Myrna

Grateful - less sore feet