Bloody Knees but Happy Ears

I woke up yesterday morning to magic! Snowflakes were softly falling around me as I began my walk to the lovely L train. Like a little kid, I could barely contain my giddiness. I mean, I had my ipod playing Christmas music, and I was definitely walking with a pep in my step. This is what I’ve been waiting for…….snow! I wanted to proclaim this joy from the rooftops, so naturally I turned to Facebook to quickly update my status. I believe my direct quote was “Can life get any better? Pure contentment here.”

Then one minute later, I face-planted into the concrete. Oh yeah, it was a superman dive, where I skidded across the intersection. My stockings ripped gigantic holes where my pale freckled knees used to be. They quickly were transformed into bloody battle wounds from the streets of New York. Like a deer caught in headlights, I just sat there, “did this really just happen?” Oh and then as I’m trying to pull myself up, my puffy coat hindered my progress. Awesome. I felt like Randy in "A Christmas Story." Thankfully this woman behind me, scooped me up and held my shoulders as we walked at breakneck speed across the already green and cab-antsy intersection. She told me, “don’t worry, it happens to everyone.” Holding the tears back, I told her “but I tried to be a real New Yorker. I have my heels in my bag and wore my flats to the office today.” So I sincerely thanked her as I laughed to myself about my long-lasting “pure contentment” and I continued the trek to the L train walking with a limp, bloody knees and all. But I kept my Christmas music playing and the pep in my step slowly returned. Thank you kind stranger and Louis Armstrong…… you helped me more than you’ll ever know. (I also realize perhaps the perfect accessory to my puffy coat is the ever stylish snow boots…….goodbye ballet flats…..)

I kinda wanna grow up

Tonight I found myself conversing with an elderly lady who was sporting a leopard print top, and I started to wonder, what am I going to be wearing by the time I'm her age? I like to think I'll still be perusing the Anthropologie aisles, but something deep within makes me wonder if perhaps I should enter the old lady outfits rite of passage. I mean gold lame' anyone? My Nana rocked it along with sequins and heavy eye makeup almost daily. I think every woman over the age of 65 should embrace tacky holiday sweaters along with the homemade jingle bell earrings. There's just really no one to impress anymore who still has 20/20 vision and you are actually comfortable in your own skin. Sounds kind of nice. Yet isn't it strange that every commercial tends to be about anti-age cream and how to reverse time to look younger, thinner, firmer...etc. Call me crazy but I actually find myself looking forward to getting old. I'm kind of already halfway there with my love for Murder She Wrote, poor driving record, love for vaseline as lip-gloss, crossword puzzles, hot tea............ must I go on? I may not ever get a Mensa invitation, but I think a red hat society request could be just around the corner.


Old people truly are amazing. They have lived so much life and have so many stories to tell, and wisdom to impart. Sure some of them may say the pledge of allegiance during grace instead of the blessing, but don't we all have a little Aunt Bethany in us? There was this poll taken of a group of 90 year olds asking them "what would you tell your younger self?" Three main things stood out- 1- they would risk more and take more chances 2- they would reflect more and 3- they would do something with their life that would live long after they were gone. 2 Timothy 2:2 comes to life, "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others." Don't we all want to live for something that counts and make a difference in other people's lives? I think it will be amazing to reflect back and see what the Lord has done. This woman I spoke with tonight has lived such an incredible life of pouring into others, opening her home to countless people, traveling to numerous countries, and sharing her faith with so many women around the world. She may not be a woman with a huge bank account, but she knows the Lord like a dear old friend from years upon years of spending time with Him. I yearn for that to be true of me as well.

Anyways, just some thoughts from a leopard print top. I'm now contemplating if redheads turn gray or white....... I guess either way, I'll be sporting the cottonball hairstyle......perhaps in a little red convertible on sunny days.