Looking Good v. Looking Young

 

Jane Goodall. Source: World Conservation Congress

Fifteen years or so ago, I placed a magazine photo on my refrigerator. The photo was a headshot of a silver-haired woman, of mature age, a striking beauty. Age lines on her skin. Crinkly eyes. Direct eye contact into the camera. A confident air. 

The woman did not look young. She looked good. 

The woman did not look good "for her age." She looked good. 

This woman became my model for how I wanted to age. 

Mary in her garden. Rustavi, Caucasus Georgia. July 2011.

Sure, looking good has the superficial layer - physical attractiveness - most of which we get from genetics or the regular, skillful application of ointments and cosmetics. 

But it's more than that. Look at what I wrote in my description of that now-lost photo on my refrigerator: 

• Age lines on her skin. 
• Crinkly eyes. 
• Direct eye contact into the camera. 
• A confident air. 

If I strive to look young, then I commit myself to a race that, ultimately, I have no chance to win, even if I have unlimited funds for plastic surgery or other interventions. 

But I can look good. 

Direct eye contact. 

Alertness. 

Lipstick.

Eyeliner and mascara.

Shoulders back, stomach in. 

Mouth closed when I'm not speaking. Or laughing. 

And, by God, if I need to use a cane some day, I will use it. With flair.