Mature Fashion: Friends who "Rock Age"

Hello Stylinistas;

This entry is a "just sayin', just thinkin' reflective post. During this time of thanksgiving which also marks the beginning of the most stressful time of the year, I realize how fortunate I am to know so many individuals who exemplify the qualities of a mature woman who "Rocks Age."  I am fortunate to have friends who are young women, newly "mature" women, and women in the 50, 60, and 70 years of age ranges.  So many of them are vibrant women who represent the values I express in the blogs.

During the commencement of this holiday season, almost every mature woman who I know faces additional challenges.  At a certain age, most of us have some form of medical problem that requires special attention to diets and exercise. It is a season of missing loved ones, either through death, divorce, or other unforeseen personal tragedies. It is also the time when most of us can become the most discouraged and lose the desire to maintain their energy, physical fitness, or sense of confidence.  I wish to dedicate this post to all woman who have suffered adversity and hardship but has not lost the will to keep up the good fight and "Rock Age". 

One of my long time friends, also in her seventies is a widow of over ten years whose husband died as a result of a lingering, expensive, and mentally draining bone cancer.  She was left with major financial difficulties as well as the painful death of her spouse of 30+ years.  She also suffered the loss of her only brother from the same cancer as her husband, and during the same time period!!.  She had to handle the death of her mother soon thereafter.  These difficulties would have crushed many a person; Not this woman; she struggled to pay off the large expenses incurred with the illness, assessed her employment capabilities, and began cottage employment babysitting and boarding animals. After several years of slowly building her clientele, she now has a selective and thriving home business. Additionally, she is an active and involved grandmother who supervises many of her grandchild's educational activities; all this while keeping up with all the chores of an acre+ home site.  She still wears her earrings every day, has an enviable silver and turquoise collection, and wears her hair in her signature neatly pulled back "up do", ready to meet any challenge of her day.  

Another friend of 15 years or so who overcome adversity. She is not quite as old as I am, but she is certainly well into middle age.  She is also a widow who recovered after enduring devastating financial circumstances with the loss of her husband's job, a very real possibility of financial ruin,  and finally, loss of her husband's life.  During this time when she had two kids about to enter college, only a part time job, a major house payment, and the economy in the pits, she "threw the dice" and opened her own retail business  vying against chain store competition.  Her admirable children, (while attending college full time) helped her run the shop when my friend continued working at her other job as well as the shop.  By the way, she is also of the 'sandwich' generation; she also had full care of a dependent mother suffering the effects of an even older age. During all this stress, she still managed to keep her hair tinted, her make-up applied, and her courage high.  Today the shop is doing a good business, her children have completed school and are active in building their own careers, She looks wonderful. Lately, she has tossed her hat in the ring for a position in local politics. I would say she is certainly Rocking Her Age!

I have another lovely lady who has taken excellent care of  herself all of her life.  I have known her and her husband over twenty years.  During that time she has faithfully watched her diet, performed all recommended physical suggestions for health and physical welfare, interacted successfully with family and friends.  Yet with all this dedication to a healthy life, during most of this time she unfortunately had Multiple Sclerosis, a devastating degenerative disease. Over the years, although she has vigorously fought the disease, it has finally reached the stage where she almost needs assistance to have any mobility.  She still performs more exercise than most women I know, (has her own special exercise bike), still helps her wonderful and dedicated husband with housework, shopping, and chores, maintains her personal appearance better than most of my acquaintance, and curates her closet with the best of us. She mourns her (to her) lost figure and the ability to find flattering garments that she can wear that are stylish and comfortable.  By the way, she, too, is in the Sandwich category by having an aged mother (over 100 years old!) who lives two hours or more away who she regularly visits, cooks for, and offers filial support.  

She is a role model for any disabled person anywhere.  I dedicate to her my intention to search out tips and ways and means for all disabled women who wish to Rock their age. She is my shining example of a really courageous disabled woman who does rocks her age in spite of everything. 

Yet another example.  When her marriage failed, my friend who had a high tech professional job was left with providing sole support to a toddler daughter and a sister who had a major illness. She was able to work from home until that job was no longer available (dot.com crash, etc.)  With temporary, part-time, and two jobs at a time, she was able to support her sister while she recovered and finished her college education.  She also put her daughter through school until she graduated from college. She bought a "fixer upper" home about twenty years ago

She still works two jobs, one in public education, and the other for a private firm helping them with their business commitments. She also has schooled herself to do almost any form of minor carpentry (building decks, installing closets, installation of molding), and professional level paint and landscape jobs at her home.  All this activity, yet making sure her sunscreen is on every day. She takes care of her body, her toe nails are painted, and she walks and exercises every day. Shopping for clothing is one of her major hobbies; shopping, mind you, not necessarily buying.  She is a particularly conscientious buyer.  I have learned much from her about thrift store shopping and to ascertain a garment meets high standards before purchasing.  She has also rigorously drilled me in the importance of returning a garment immediately if it is not what I expected.  She manages her home, finances, and person well.  She rocks her age.

Although I have several others who deserve some recognition, ones who have retired and volunteer with community service, actively participate in their children's lives, etc., and experience life's obstacles, these are the most significant examples of close friends of mine who have suffered unexpected major adversity(ies). They have picked themselves up and made the world work for, and with them in spite of it. They remain strong women, have the ability to cope, take care of themselves, look wonderful, and rock their age.

I salute you and all known and unknown women who rock their age.   Have a Happy Thanksgiving..............Geneva........Rockmyages@aol.com