The Grand Canyon calls bullshit on our limited idea of beauty! I love this line and idea so much — that the whittling away and time makes us beautiful. Something to remember when I’m having unkind thoughts in the mirror. (That, and divest from internalized ageism!) Thank you for this thoughtful essay, Emily. And from a writing process standpoint, so cool to have seen you working though this in the Monday meetups to a finished, published piece!
Thank you so much, Katie! I’m so happy this resonates. It’s so hard to remember but let’s keep reminding each other when we forget! Yes I love that our Ass in Chair meetups played a huge role in this essay existing ♥️
Sometimes when I look in the mirror I see the lines around my eyes, my mouth, I see the arthritic knuckles on my hands, and yet every day I try to remember how well my hands work, my mouth smiles, laughs, my eyes (with glasses) see or try to see this world. Everything I love in the natural has lines, grooves, wrinkles, has depth and color. I love your comparison with the Grand Canyon. Maybe our mantra should be to be gentle with ourselves and each other.
Yes to all of this, Valerie. I feel like it takes continual attention to remember we do not judge anything or anyone else as harshly as we judge ourselves. Love your connection to the natural world ✨
My Italian friend told me that in her country, 'crow's feet' are known as 'smile lines." and I've been saying that ever since. (although i do like crows and their feet)
Love your lines, "I wish I could go back and shake my jowls at them now." And "Fading into a wrinkly, saggy oblivions," and "I wear the marks, and also: "ornaments of how many years I've lived on this earth with this particular face." I also love your move of applying bell hooks's notion of surrendering power to your relationship with your body--beautiful. Thank you for your words and your wisdoms, Emily! (And your "actual Grand Canyon photo" with your old iphone is gorgeous!!)
I loved this piece, Emily! As the Quakers say, "my friend speaks my condition."
Thank you so much, Rebekah! I love this saying 🩵
Your writing in this piece is gorgeous. Thank you for your vulnerability and wisdom.
Thank you Rachel ✨♥️
The Grand Canyon calls bullshit on our limited idea of beauty! I love this line and idea so much — that the whittling away and time makes us beautiful. Something to remember when I’m having unkind thoughts in the mirror. (That, and divest from internalized ageism!) Thank you for this thoughtful essay, Emily. And from a writing process standpoint, so cool to have seen you working though this in the Monday meetups to a finished, published piece!
Thank you so much, Katie! I’m so happy this resonates. It’s so hard to remember but let’s keep reminding each other when we forget! Yes I love that our Ass in Chair meetups played a huge role in this essay existing ♥️
Sometimes when I look in the mirror I see the lines around my eyes, my mouth, I see the arthritic knuckles on my hands, and yet every day I try to remember how well my hands work, my mouth smiles, laughs, my eyes (with glasses) see or try to see this world. Everything I love in the natural has lines, grooves, wrinkles, has depth and color. I love your comparison with the Grand Canyon. Maybe our mantra should be to be gentle with ourselves and each other.
Yes to all of this, Valerie. I feel like it takes continual attention to remember we do not judge anything or anyone else as harshly as we judge ourselves. Love your connection to the natural world ✨
Oh hell yes! What a brilliant renaming & reframing ✨
Thank you June! 🙌🏼💜
My Italian friend told me that in her country, 'crow's feet' are known as 'smile lines." and I've been saying that ever since. (although i do like crows and their feet)
I love this, Joy. Thank you for sharing it. I also like crows and their feet!
Love your lines, "I wish I could go back and shake my jowls at them now." And "Fading into a wrinkly, saggy oblivions," and "I wear the marks, and also: "ornaments of how many years I've lived on this earth with this particular face." I also love your move of applying bell hooks's notion of surrendering power to your relationship with your body--beautiful. Thank you for your words and your wisdoms, Emily! (And your "actual Grand Canyon photo" with your old iphone is gorgeous!!)
Thank you so much, Molly! I'm so happy that this resonated with you. Let's be old ladies who shake our jowls at people together. <3
Just subscribed! Not sure what took me so long to realize you’re actually writing on here, too! Yay!
Thanks, Katie! I just subscribed to your newsletter as well. Didn't realize you were on here! woo hoo