A Vision of Youth

For the last couple days I’ve woken up tired and pale and looked at myself in the mirror and thought for the first time, ohh, I look ooooold… Suddenly there are wrinkles round my eyes, and I just look.. ha, well, bet down, as they say. Today’s better, thank god, but you can tell it’s encroaching.


Yesterday I went to collect Olivia from school, and huddled by the wall, shivering slightly, ensconsed in my hoodie that is definitely a never-to-be-seen-outdoors item of comfort clothing. I stood by too mum-friends, both in sensible anoraks, and Anne explained to us how she was needing to grab her daughter and run as she had some litany of tasks to do. Hence, she was zealously guarding first place in the queue.

And then, through the door, walked Youth.

Someone’s school-girl auntie, in a trendily disguised school kilt and funky punky hair and makeup, the epitomy of 16 year old gorgeous freshness. And potential.

‘Oh, look, Youth just walked in,’ I said, and the three of us laughed, and cringed a little.

And then the bell clanged over our heads, and we went in to rummage for the kids’ coats, and Anne took her rightful place at the top of the queue… and hilariously, adding insult to injury, the walking embodiment of youngness walked straight by her, to the classroom door, and got her nephew out first!

Yes. No age before beauty here… Youth laughs at your rules and tradition, it respects our stature and experience not one bit…

it's all down hill from here

So do you see the young woman or the old lady?

Sigh. I was going to post about how after thirty I noticed lines on my face that weren't there before, this year I've been noticing my hands getting older looking, though I'd taken comfort from the fact that when I pinch the sking on the back of my hand it still springs back into place pretty instantly (I always remember my mother saying that to me!).

But today I - I found my first grey hair.

I've suspected before, but always assumed that they were actually just blond ones, I still have a good few very blonde hairs - but not this one, it's without doubt shiny white.

I've always been a staunch supporter or naturally grey or white hair, I don't think women are wrong to 'let themselves go' and let the grey through, as Trinny and Susannah put it.

But I'm not ready! It's too soon! Aaaaagh! It's jsut the stress ageing me prematurely, I'm sure of it!