In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Forever Young.”
Bonaparte and I were walking through Nordstrom’s the other day when I spotted the most beautiful dress. I’m telling you, this dress spoke to me.
This dress also spoke to a couple of celebrities who are younger, thinner, and more leggier than me!
Yeah. Definitely younger!
It said:
“Hello Cathe!” “Come over.” “Feel me”. “Take me in your arms and caress me and walk to the fitting room and try me on”. “I shall be yours.” “I am the kind of little black dress that you adore”. “Simple with a rather subtle white lace collar and cuffs—the kind of dress that a woman who has worn uniforms for years loves….”
I was in a trance. Really. I was!
Oh beautiful Ted Baker dress, you had me at the white lace collar!!!!!
Bonaparte knew what I was thinking—he saw that glazed look. He knew I was going to grab that dress. But before I could even reach out to grab the hanger, he tapped me on the shoulder and said to me:
“Cassie!” “Ou cannot try zhat dress on.” “Pu’ eet bek”. “Ou ahr too ol’ to wahr eet.” “Em sorry, Cassie—eez jus’ too short for a womahn of ewahr ahzh.”
Translation: Cathe. You cannot try that dress on. Put it back. You are too old to wear it. I’m sorry Cathe, it’s just too short for a woman of your age”.
His words hit me like a quick, sharp slap to the face. I had an emotional welt.
When we got into the car I teared up and told him that I wanted to be young forever.
The reality is, I can’t be young forever.
When I arrived home I took a good look at myself. My legs are not taut the way they were when I was young. My knees are growing crepey. My thighs are a bit flabby and the blue tint of lined veins are starting to surface.
I’ll tell you, the best fake tan cannot disguise the marks of age that my legs have acquired. The short, short dresses are a thing of the past for me. But WHY do designers not create more youthful looks for women over 50–or 60????
The dress was so short that even with black tights and over-the-knee boots, I would look like I was trying to recapture the days of my youth—and I have to admit, it wouldn’t really look that great. It would look like a costume.
That dress was so short if I bent over my “origin of the world” would be in full view! (Google Gustave Courbet’s painting “The Origin of the World” and you’ll know what I’m talking about!)
I realized two things after that little trip to Nordies.
The first is that I’m sad that designers only make cute dresses geared to youth. Had Ted Baker made the same dress in various lengths, I definitely would have purchased it if it just grazed the middle of my knees. I may be older, but I like my dresses at a shorter, not below-the-knee length.
The second realization is this—I may be older, but my spirit remains youthful. My spirit and my thoughts will always remain youthful. I never want to shut my mind and spirit off to anything new and exciting.
Would I drink from the Fountain of Youth if I had the opportunity?
I may partake in a little sip of the youth’s “eau de vivre”!
I wouldn’t drink—but I most definitely would take a sip or two–if only for my spirit!