(I see myself in some of these women above. I have a feeling I will be wearing big sunnies and a yellow scarf at the age of 73. There’s a reason for that…
I have three beautiful children, each with their own inquisitive, curious, and unique personalities.
They ask me approximately 143 questions each and every day.
Since Max cannot talk yet, he smacks me on the leg an equal amount of times to get my attention or show me something new.
Oh how I love those little dimpled hands, and their dimpled cheeks and wonderous eyes.
And oh how weary I can get by 5 PM.
Motherhood is my favorite aspect of life, and so I commit each week to try to become a better one.
One of these ways is getting up a little earlier than my little ones to get spiritually and physically dressed.
I have a little prayer/meditation time, and then I sometimes (sometimes mind you!) I get dressed.
I go into my closet and instead of being on the receiving end of many questions, I get to make some decisions. I get to creatively assemble what reflects the weather, mood, or goals for the day. Sometimes that is workout wear, but sometimes, it is my favorite jeans, oversized sweater, and bold lipstick.
The art of getting dressed.
It does something for me. It gets me equipped for what the day will bring like a fresh cup of coffee and a clean kitchen. You see, we each have this ability to choose who we will be in this life, and how we will give to those around us. We each have our own set of physical characteristics as well as personality and character traits. There are not two of us who are the same. In this fact alone, I celebrate! I celebrate the ability to have a fresh start each morning, with the choice to be the best version of myself.
My grandmother Lucia had a marvelous hat collection.
She is one of the strongest women I have ever met.
Having lived through poverty, the loss of children, moving her spanish speaking family to an english speaking city, and feeding many mouths faithfully and lovingly every day of her life. Lucia dressed her best every single Sunday, and would pull out one of her many hats to wear to church. She would smile and hold her head high, and you could sense the pride in which she felt when she was her best dressed.
My grandmother Margaret still does her makeup.
She also raised a large and wonderful family, and worked every day as an oil painter for my grandfather’s photography business.
In every photo she is breathtakingly beautiful.
She can ride her bike around town, and her old victorian home draws in many grandchildren and visitors who love to have her ear. She is such a good listener.
I received a handwritten letter from her this week I consider it a treasure.
She still has incredible style, and puts on lipstick for all the right occasions.
I get dressed every day because it is the art of womanhood.
It is taking the example of the great women who exemplified living a life of purpose.
It is small step in the goal to pass on with grace the life giving love we are capable of.
I think I’ll read this essay again tomorrow afternoon when my son’s peanut butter stained hand is patting my favorite jeans…
