Words To Be

Somewhere in the now distant future, a bright young voice will emerge. He or she will record the innumerable changes that occurred during the memorable year of 2021.

I will no longer be even a memory when this happens. This Monday morning, however, as I sit poised over a steaming cup of black coffee, I become acutely aware of the distinctive changes in my own obscure lifestyle.

I linger over finances, reviewing a monthly credit card statement. Automatically checking the charges, I notice a distinct difference during the past few months.

Most of the bills for purchases differ substantially from those ordered prior to spring of 2020.

Ironically, my charges for cosmetics have moved upward on the scale. I stop to wonder why this has happened.Then I realize it is now far more important that I preserve my identity.

Life has changed radically for everyone. I believe most, if not all, of us, are desperately trying to maintain a semblance of the essence of life we knew prior to Covid 19.

In the very early stages of lockdown, I relaxed. It became almost my personal comfort zone. I rationalized no one would be critical if I wore my aged exercise outfit throughout the entire day. Certainly, there was no need to dress for dining alone.

I had no fear of encountering anyone, male or female, whose eyebrows would lift ever so slightly viewing me sans lipstick, or lacking even the pretense of eyebrows. Indeed not; so I relaxed.

That was only until a vestige of sanity returned, and I comprehended the truth. I dress, not for others, but for myself.

After I returned to what had been the norm for most of my adult life, and resumed the ritual of makeup and traditional clothing, I felt comforted.

This became my personal proclamation. Yes, the unanticipated peril of Covid would end eventually, and I would reenter the world, aged, but not completely unrecognizable. At least, that is my hope.

After writing a check for Amex, I remembered with gratitude advice given to me almost a century ago by Anna King Donlon.

“Never let yourself go.”

Words to be ever remembered.