.
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' 
This old woman loves this particular post of yours!
Dear Ms. Low, (lovely old woman)
You charm my socks off.
Let me add, Nance. We’re not that old yet!
Dear Mr. You Again,
I’m new to the gang…but, in the gang none the less. You must be younger than i am.
Fierce indeed – and brilliant!
Dear Ms. Fire Fly,
Fierce and brilliant. Kinda like being able to growl and smile at the same time.
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.
Dear Mr. Identify,
Let’s have a toast to slow seasons.
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.
Dear Mr. Street Fighter,
I can understand the desire to be on solid ground. Though i don’t think that Sir Winston would.
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.
Dear Mr. Aging Well,
Does this young staff member perhaps owe you a lot of money? ;-)
I’m one of the gang -and I love this Nance.
Dear Ms. Gang member,
It seems like we should have names like lefty and scar face.
‘They go with everything. Well, no. Actually, everything goes with them’. With you definitely re: those boots…
Dear Scozzese,
I will take that as a compliment. Thank you.
It was meant as one… my black leather boots have been faithful to me for nearly 30 years…
Those last three lines. Wow.
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.
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!
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.
I used to have leather pants and still have a leather jacket. I like what’s long-wearing.
Totally tough. I love it.
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.
Dear Mr. Fierce Bones,
That must be some very fine cologne. An unusual concoction. A potion with a number close to nine.
This is beautiful in every way, and powerful. I do still mind looking in the mirror however.
You are beautiful.