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« Social "Disgrace" Security Backlash | Main | Eldercare Learnings »
July 14, 2008 |Permalink |Comments (2)
Monkhouse Mondays: Timeless Beauty
[Editor's Note: Eden Alternative Europe Coordinator Christa Monkhouse guest-posts on a weekly basis from across the Big Pond. Christa helped introduce the Eden Alternative to Europe, first in the UK, then Denmark, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and soon in Sweden, Finland and other European nations. Stay-tuned for regular updates on 'Monkhouse Mondays'.]
In Zürich the European soccer championship has just ended and with it the endless (female) celebrity photos in the newspapers. At a function recently, I was with some of them and noticed that I felt uncomfortable. They are my age (over fifty) and look thirty-something due to botox and surgery. I asked myself some questions: “If I am irritated, how do other people feel about this? What are we doing to the clues our looks reveal about our experience, worldliness and seniority? Do we compete with younger woman for looks? While they need guidance, admiration and support from us older women, do they need more “rivals” which are probably abound in their own generation? "
After this experience I decided to age gracefully. I want to look old, wise and warm. I don’t want to leave any doubt about who I am. I hope that I will be able to offer a warm smile and share wisdom gained from my rich life in gratitude. I want to become a timeless (not ageless) beauty like Mrs. Lydia R. from Switzerland, pictured here at age 94, intently listening to a lecture.
-- Christa Monkhouse

Comments ( 2)
Christa,
I'm finding myself more irritated now as I approach 60 years. I want to look healthy and wise.
Lettie
If a face irritates you, because it looks ageless, look at the hands, they never lie. Skin becomes thinner, translucent, speckled. In my work as a Physiotherapist I always relied on the hands if a face left me "clueless".
Alice Liber, Switzerland (83)












