Before Pictures

     There comes a point in life when you realize you are the "before" picture, before the weight loss, before the face lift, before the makeover.  In all probability, the only "after" picture will be placed next to your obituary in the paper--you can't get much more after than that.  On the subject of obituary pictures, I have a theory on why obituaries for deceased octogenarians display their high school senior picture, it may have been the last good photo taken of them.  I actually feel sorry for stars pursued by paparazzi; I know how many shots it takes to get one decent photo of me. I think that is why obituary photos are often from previous decades.  Camera shy people compound the problem; "leave no trace" is for hiking, not lives.
     But back to the issue of "before" pictures and the certainty that "Prevention" magazine is never going to want you for the cover, how do you reconcile with the changes aging brings to your body?  Some choose to stand and fight, but after age 40 you are only as beautiful as you can afford and I'm not that rich.  Some surrender unconditionally; they run around in pajamas, bedhead and no makeup.  This disguises age by making 60 to 80 year olds look alike, but not in a good way.  I have two coping strategies, both involving prayer.  I pray the serenity prayer over my body:  Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things (about my aging body) I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. This prayer is just as useful if the struggle is with health, finances or its usual purpose of addiction.  I also pray that I will grow in the inner graces that God finds beautiful--a gentle and quiet spirit.  I can be gentle, quiet is another matter.
     As a partial answer to my prayers God has given me a few objects lessons in women in the end stages of a lifetime of vanity, after all those years peering into the makeup mirror, they have lost sight of everything else.  An acquaintance recently reminded me that it's no coincidence that your looks and eyesight go at the same time.  We should probably take that as a hint. Another hint is to recognize what products are appropriate for your age.  Too much make up on young girls makes them look even younger, too much make up on elderly women makes them look even older.  Also, when young people tell you some contemporary style looks cute on you, what they really mean is pathetic.  Leave contemporary to people who are.  As someone who had a limited supply of beauty to begin with, now seeing the expiration date on that supply come ever nearer, I need to remind myself that the only truly sad "before" picture is what life was like before Christ.