If I could have one wish....

"To get back to my youth, I would do anything in the world, except take exercise, get up early, or be respectable." -Oscar Wilde

Yesterday, I was asked to rate my body image on a scale of 1-10. Ha. Is that a trick question?? It didn't help that the girl asking me was a personal trainer and obviously, her image is a full 9 points above mine. I went to meet with her, because with my new gym membership, I get 5 training sessions. I wasn't surprised that she was thin, (of course) and young (of course). I was a little surprised with her nose 'earring' and her lip ring and her tongue stud. (Do you know how hard it is to not look at something like that when you're talking to someone? I kept thinking, where would I normally look? I couldn't remember.) So, it made think of being that young and how differently I felt about myself.

Last Friday, I had lunch with my friend, Lynette. We haven't seen each other in about 12 years. We first met when we were both nannies in Washington D.C. We had another friend and the three of us were inseperable. We were talking about how it just isn't possible that we have children who are this old. Her oldest is a senior and mine is going to be driving and dating age in a mere 3 weeks. Uck, gag, choke.

Here is a picture of us. See our smiles, that's because we have no idea that when we talked about 'old' people, we would someday become one!

That was back when I was young and pliable. Seriously, I think one of the worst offenders of getting older is the skin. It used to be soft and smooth and tight. That was when it had elastisity. Have you ever had a pair of sweats for a really long time and the elastic in the waist is shot? Yeah, that's me, just all over. Where once it was lithe and perky, we have sags and stretch marks. (OK, a word on those. My husband says they're an honor badge for having born him seven, very large children. I say, bull. If you want me to have an honor badge, then make me a badge that says 'Honorable Mother of Seven Large Children'. The stretch marks are ugly!) Where once my face was firm and smooth, I have pores the size of moon craters and, must I say it, wrinkles.

I miss those days, when I could stay up till all hours and still get up in the morning and go to work or school. Nap, who needs a nap? I had energy! And a metabolism. The only thing about chocolate that worried me was if it would make me break out. I miss having few worries or stresses. Of course, I wouldn't trade that for what I have now. I love my family and am happy with the journey of life that I've traveled. And, heaven knows, I wouldn't want to have to go through it all again. I'd just like my 20 year-old body back. I'd appreciate it so much more now. I had no idea what a good thing I had. Now, I'm just an old pair of sweats that belong in the back of the closet. Oh, sure, those sweats are comfy and familiar, but you wouldn't be caught dead in them in public!