.
I look in the mirror and see, finally see, my oldness. It’s been coming slowly enough that i was able to ignore it for quite awhile. But, now the image in my brain has finally caught up with reality. I can see why so many have compared aging to the changing of the seasons as it comes in slow turns. I not only now see my oldness, i am also feeling it deeply.
Old has come and there is no going back. Men’s eyes no longer follow my form. I am invisible to onlookers. Teens become silent. Young women keep their distance not wanting to become me. I am now a member of the old woman gang. The gang with chains of prayer and black leather boots. We have been stripped and refined. We are fierce.
✜
A LITTLE SOMETHIN' 
Dear Ms. Low, (lovely old woman)
You charm my socks off.
This old woman loves this particular post of yours!
Dear Mr. You Again,
I’m new to the gang…but, in the gang none the less. You must be younger than i am.
Dear Ms. Fire Fly,
Fierce and brilliant. Kinda like being able to growl and smile at the same time.
Dear Mr. Identify,
Let’s have a toast to slow seasons.
Let me add, Nance. We’re not that old yet!
Fierce indeed – and brilliant!
Nice way of putting it. And I identify in my “man” way. Ha. It is shocking to think how old I’ll be, say in fifteen years. So true on seasons and gradual change.
Totally tough. I love it.
Dear Mr. Aging Well,
Does this young staff member perhaps owe you a lot of money? ;-)
Dear Mr. Street Fighter,
I can understand the desire to be on solid ground. Though i don’t think that Sir Winston would.
Dear Ms. Gang member,
It seems like we should have names like lefty and scar face.
And we vote!
We Boomers will not go into old age gracefully. We’re going to fight it, fiercely. Although, I, for one, will be willing to fight in the streets and cities, but I’m not prepared to fight it on the beaches.
There is something to be said with aging well. Fierce it is. I had a much younger staff member tell me that other than my gray hair, that I seemed young to him.
I used to have leather pants and still have a leather jacket. I like what’s long-wearing.
It was meant as one… my black leather boots have been faithful to me for nearly 30 years…
I’m one of the gang -and I love this Nance.
Dear Scozzese,
I will take that as a compliment. Thank you.
‘They go with everything. Well, no. Actually, everything goes with them’. With you definitely re: those boots…
Dear Ms. Wow,
You got that right. It’s quite the process. I think it’s time for me to do some serious boot shopping.
Dear Ms. Fierce,
I think you should also go for a pair of black leather boots. They go with everything. Well, no. Actually, everything goes with them.
Dear Mr. Fierce Bones,
That must be some very fine cologne. An unusual concoction. A potion with a number close to nine.
Those last three lines. Wow.
As that saying goes, “We’re not getting old, we’re getting better.” And as that other saying goes, “And we’re worth it.”
And I’ll take fierce!
Refined, but Fierce. Yes, that’s a good way to put it. Gentlemen also deal with their own challenges of aging. I am feeling it in my bones. My 52 year-old fierce bones. But I bought some new cologne that comes from France, which makes all the difference.
You are beautiful.
This is beautiful in every way, and powerful. I do still mind looking in the mirror however.