My Mirror is Not My Friend

[tessmg]

Something is strange when I look in my mirror,
I don't recognize that person looking back at me.
I see green eyes, and that's what I knew I had,
And I see light colored hair, and ya, that was me.
But things are sagging, wrinkles are showing up,
And the body, we won't even go there, who is it?

Now I know there are years gone past,
And I know most things don't stay the same,
But gee, do I have to have it thrown in my face
That things are not as they used to be?
I recogize the handwriting, and I recognize a mole or two,
Yet something is strange about this person looking back at me!

[Hope]

Tess,
I have the same problem I know I can't be ageing LOL! This is really good and I know so many can relate to it,I know that I can.

God Bless You Eva

[Happy Holmes1]

Hi Tess, this is so very funny, and who can't relate to it?! Things start spreading out, thinning out, going out, and falling out. What funny too is I just spent 5 days w/a friend in Dallas. When you walk out of her restroom, there is a closet w/sliding mirror doors, and everytime I open the bathroom door, I would see myself and grin and say, "Who's that woman lookin' back at me, with them chubby little cheeks and jelly belly?"
hahahahahha! I'm glad you can relate Tess. This is really a cute poem. It sure made me smile. -Dawn

[tessmg]

Yup, it's funny but it's NOT. haa!!! I guess if I was the only one who drooped and sagged then I'd get my dander up but this seems to be the norm for a lot of us. And ya, I don't have the problem some do of no appetite. I still like to eat but since I'm alone now, it's not the same fun. When I burned something, which was fairly often, my husband would say "Burnt offerings, dear?" But hey, if I'm busy playing the piano or organ, I can't be watching the stove now, can I???? So when I ask for forgiveness often it's for cheating and not paying attention in the kitchen. It was a nice guarantee though that he loved me because he stayed and stayed and endured and put up!!
Thanks for your note, gals.

[Happy Holmes1]

Dear Tess, thanks for letting us get to know you a little better. Also, don't know if you realize it, but the Lord used you to inspire me to write about a lady in the mirror right after reading your's. I hope you get to read it. I think it's called, "Who's That Woman?" Ah, so you play the piano AND organ? Wow! So, you're musical, that's neat. What kinds of music do you play on it? Would sure like to hear you. Your husband sure had a sense of humor, like you huh? Nothing wrong with that. Happy Memorial Day weekend dear! -Dawn

[tessmg]

Hi Dawn, you do have to laugh, and we always did. We actually teased each other but all in fun, not in a mean spirit. Give and take. Haaaa!
Music has been my stand-by having grown up with 3 brothers, and through age 9 to 19 lived on a small farm just outside of town. I didn't follow the boys so had music for myself and it was great. The big story to that is that my parents in 1940 when I was six years old purchased a nice upright piano from someone they knew, $50.00 and in those days you know $50 was a lot of money!!!!! I don't know how they did it, maybe Grampa helped them. But over the years it was very important to me. Then I took trumpet through school, known as "Hot Lips McBride". And believe it or not, I was very shy then!!

Through the years, with the loss of my parents 1960-1962, then my son 1983, and my husband 2000, music was very important to me, to give me strength, courage, and solace. yes, God was at the root of it we know, but I knew I had this and it was like a pill in some ways. It comforted me and at times just filled the void. Music can do whatever you want it to do. Now it's important because being alone, I can tackle new pieces, or write some music, or just amble.. It's my pleasure, my need to just do it. All this is what I'm thankful for.

Funny thing too, I never cared about crafts or felt I was good at it or interested even but Music has sustained me..
Thanks for your comments.. tess

[Happy Holmes1]

Dear Tess, Wow! You even write your own music? GOD has given you quite a gift. Sure hope I get to hear you play someday, because I love music too. I am sorry you have had to lose your son and your husband. So thankful to GOD though that He gave you a love for music at a young age and loving parents to buy the piano, and sacrifice if need be, for you to have it. -Dawn

[tessmg]

Hi Dawn, You know it just horrifies me that TODAY in this era, young people have almost everything money can buy. I have a huge problem with that. It makes me wonder what is there to look forward to, what is there to bring happiness, if it's just store-bought stuff, trends, fashions, the latest gadgets. I know that makes me sound OLD, but through the years I found a few things do bring happiness but when there is no end to it, I just wonder about it all. For one thing, we gave my kids what we wanted them to have, we didn't take orders, or wonder what the latest want was. We were the parents, the head of household and that didn't mean we gave up our rights to dictate. Really!
I grew up with 3 brothers, and in that era things were not all that plentiful of course. WWII, and just out of the Depression. But every little thing meant a whole lot. And I know we had more than my father did growing up in New Brunswick, Canada and at he age of 4 selling newspapers on the street and every penny had to be turned in to his mother. The one time he took one cent for candy he was severly punished . WHY? Because the family needed that money. There were other siblings.
I do remember that any time my father wasn't working through the summer he was haying, gardening, chopping wood, fixing something, remodeling something and working usually just 5 days a week at a factory, but sometimes 6 days.. that was cleaning machines that were manufactured in Yugoslavia. The factory made bobbins that were used to make materials, such as nyon for parachutes. Making bobbins to hold thread for that work. He was a grinder of steel cutters, very fine work.

So yes, the memories do mount up. My son was 23, 2 days after Christmas.. in a scuba diving accident. He was trapped, and died in shallow water under the ice. Not found until April but I was glad he was found!! He's buried here next to my husband. Fortunately I have good memories of him, we had a good relationship. I ca't ask for mre.. My daughter remains and was here all day putting in flowers for me. tess

[Brenda Pike]

TESSMG, WE ALL CAN RELATE TO THIS POEM. YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD. SORRY ABOUT YOUR SON DEAR ONE. I UNDERSTAND THIS PAIN ALL TO WELL. BLESS YOU . SINCERELY BRENDA

[tessmg]

Brenda, For me it took some time of course, but I finally convinced myself it's not all bad. That now he is safe, nothing more can happen. No bad marriage, no banktruptcy, no disease, injuries, war etc.. and that he is simply safe and will carry on doing what he always did, helping people, caring about them, making them laugh, and maybe even driving them up the WALL...as he did here. I can visualize him helping people to get acclimated in the new spiritual life. Meanwhile we do roar with laughter at some of the things he did or said and can still see his face. We do heal in some sort of way. We have to. And knowing our loved ones, they would want us to go on, and not let things get to us which I'm sure would cause them grief also. tess

[RLBEST]

hehe..Tess...it seems like only yesterday when I was in school. But as I look in the mirror and see all the gray hair, the receding hairline, and look down to see my dunflopped belly hanging over my belt I realize that was 30 years ago! Anyway cute poem and it made me and my wife chuckle...Thanks...Rob

[tessmg]

Thanks, Rob. I can't help but laugh sometimes. I call the
physical "adjustment" that occurs when we're older, at least for most of us, SAGGOSSIS.
Things droop and sag, sway, and don't seem to give up! It's not fair but it happens.

Glad you chuckled. The joke is on us. We thought we were so "spiffy", so suave, and HA! How things do change!! But hey, looks isn't everything is it? tess

[rosypetal]

it is such a interesting subject!
and the image is very good with the poem too!
i love the concept of it and it really makes we all thinging hard!
enjoy it!

[lanepope]

You know, in some cultures, I think they cover the mirrors when someone has died. I just do not wash the mirrors, ever. It's like the filters the cameramen use for aging Hollywood ladies: the crepe paper wrinkles are hardly visible

[lanepope]

Forgot to add: (first, great poem); secondly, someone else said this first: Getting old is not for sissies. Humor is the best approach, I think. My son old me it is my responsibility to "lead us into old age gently..." I AM TRYING!!!!