The New Me!
Yes, there is a new me! Did I have an extreme make-over? No, something even more drastic . . .
I was in Gloria's office. That is to say in the back of the rabbit warren we call the Women's Center. Most of you are familiar with the layout of the Women's Center, but to refresh your memory . . . First the outer office, then "my" office, turn left and into Merry's office, keep going and you are in Gloria's office. We flow pretty much from one room to the next, in and out. I was talking to Gloria about the fund raiser which is Friday night. I have been the person in the office taking responsibility for this show, but Gloria is a good resource and was helping me make sure I had all those pesky last minute details nailed down. A student wandered in, looking for me, but not knowing my name. I had pledged $5 to her for a(nother) fund raising walk.She and Merry tried to figure out who she was looking for. Here is how the conversation went:
Merry: Hi, may I help you? (or something close to that)
Student: Hi, I'm looking for the woman who sits here (referring to my chair).
Merry: Stephanie?
Student: Maybe, . . . the elderly one.
So, I am now officially elderly. And before you jump to my defense and say, Oh, the student was how old? 16?, no, she wasn't. I think she is in her middle/late thirties. Now that still gives me almost 20 years on her, but the joke's on her. She has no idea how fast those intervening years are going to pass.
And, yes, I know it is my gray hair that does it to me, but I am not going to dye it. I feel that right now when people look at me, they may focus on my gray hair, but that is better than focusing on how old I look because I have wrinkles and bags under my eyes. Yes, I have those too, but the sun glinting off my silver hair blinds people to the wrinkles.
Pardon me while I go lie down. It's been a long day.
Comments
:) Elderly! Wowsers...I'm taken aback.
Posted by: Rae | October 14, 2004 12:17 AM
Stephanie,
One of the (previously unrevealed) reasons why I married Mara was because of how youthful her mother looks. I realize that this is Mara in 20 years.
Seriously, don't let this develop into a complex.
Posted by: Mark Fojas | October 14, 2004 11:39 AM
I know you wouldn't dare touch that hair! I love it! I currently have the picture of the two of us up on my desktop and frequently get complements about how much we look alike. I'm happy (and so is Mark apparently :-)) that this is what I can look forward to. Aren't you, Rae? :-)
Posted by: Mara Fojas | October 14, 2004 11:42 AM
Really, this is great. I wasn't fishing for compliments. But I'm lovin' it. I thought the whole thing was pretty funny and I really don't need (but am enjoying it anyway) to be reassured. I am what I am, and elderly doesn't really quite describe it.
Posted by: Nannie | October 14, 2004 12:14 PM
And, Mark, one of the reasons Mara's mother looks youthful is because really I am. I was only 24 when Mara was born, so was still a fairly young mother. Not 16, but fairly young.
Posted by: Nannie | October 14, 2004 12:16 PM
i.e. when I was getting married at 24, my mother was already on her second child ... not that I'm keeping track or anything...
Posted by: Mara Fojas | October 15, 2004 9:00 AM
no, no, who's keeping track? That's sort of like saying Rose 13, Stephanie 0! (just kidding, really!) Not that I'm keeping track or anything. . .
Of course, I'm not getting any younger either, as the student reminded me.
Posted by: Nannie | October 15, 2004 12:08 PM
Of course, Rose also has at least one child who could be your sibling, and her youngest is as old as your eldest. Different time scale. On the other hand - Mrs. Hittinger 0, You 0. There, even Stephen!
Posted by: Mara Fojas | October 16, 2004 6:06 AM
Oh what a wonderful conversation. I wish I'd been checking the blogs more lately. I think it's so wonderful that you have silver hair. I hand't ever really thought about it but there's a pretty decent chance that i too will go silver. I personally have always thought that my mother's hair was very stately and dignified.
Bravo Maman!
Posted by: Mendon | October 16, 2004 3:09 PM
I'm confused about the movie...what are you trying to say about Vickie?
Posted by: Rae | October 16, 2004 11:49 PM
Uhh, what movie?
And what I'm saying about Vickie is that she is more close in age to Mommy, as are her children close in age to Mommy's children. So, it's a better comparison.
Posted by: Mara Fojas | October 17, 2004 3:02 PM
wow, mara, you were twenty four when you got married? hmmm... that's impressive. I could have sworn you've only been married a few years, not almost a half decade (well, i gues that four is really only a few but still).
Posted by: Mendon | October 18, 2004 11:30 AM