Old Age, Wisdom, and the Love of Imperfection

Daily writing prompt

What’s your #1 priority tomorrow?

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My #1 priority tomorrow is to be an old woman in the world. To take my sun-worn face and my sagging arms out and about and act like I belong everywhere just like everyone else.

I aim to be wise and imperfect. To make no excuses for losing my balance in Tai Chi class or not hearing the server ask me what I’d like for lunch. I already know what I’d like for lunch because I’ve been thinking about it for a day or two. Lettuce wraps.

Today, I wore socks that look like anklets I wore in first grade. They were all that was left in the sock drawer, so I had no choice. And then I wore my old green camp pants and my Green Bay Packer t-shirt because, you know, it was game day, along with my hat with the hummingbird on it and my Harris/Walz pin. And in my regalia, I went with my husband and our beautiful and impressive dogs to the dog park.

At the dog park, people looked at me and my hat and my dogs. I am an old woman in the world with beautiful and impressive dogs, I thought to myself. I belong here just like everyone else. The dogs help, I must say. I don’t have old lady dogs. Wispy creatures that one can carry. I have dogs that could pull my sled to Nome, should that be necessary.

Tomorrow, I will do the same, go to the dog park, and then go to Tai Chi where Bill #1 will say hello and Bill #2 will urge us to do his favorite exercise which is “walking on ice.” He is committed to this exercise and though it irks me I do what he asks. He is also wise and imperfect, so a kindred soul. Then I will go other places and say things that are wise because I speak from experience. So much experience. So much.

You asked, and I answered. I aim to be wise and imperfect. That is tomorrow’s #1 priority. And, pretty much, every day’s.