The Magic Mirror

Last night my husband and I celebrated the day we met, 20 years ago. I couldn’t wear the outfit to dinner that I wore for our first meeting because I only had part of it, so… I had recently tried on a sexy jersey sundress that I wore for the last time maybe 13 years ago, i.e., my body was much younger. It shows considerably more cleavage than I normally wear in public. Probably why I haven’t worn it for so long.

I tried it on the other day and was taken aback. It not only fit but looked good! Oh my goodness! I thought to myself. I don’t look half bad. Let me rephrase that, I look damn good! Shocker. Seriously, shocker. Could it be a magical mirror in front of me?

I tried it on for my husband and he loved it. I can always count on his honest opinion (He’s not good at lying when it comes to those things.) Maybe I’ll wear it out to dinner on Tuesday, I said with trepidation. I was thinking, Oh I definitely should not do that! Great! was his short reply.

I had chosen two possible outfits for consideration when the day arrived. The sexy dress or a pair of black skinny jeans and the red silk blouse I wore when we first met. 180 degree difference, trust me. I tried on the dress convinced that I would be taking it off right away and going with the slacks. I looked into that magic mirror in my bathroom and there I was again, rocking it in that stupid dress! Again I showed my husband. Do I look like a floozy in this? No! Of course not! You look great! Wear it! Okay, I said, walking away, still thinking I probably look like an old lady who tries too hard, but oh well. I’ll be bold this time and not care what anyone thinks. Yeah, right.

Before we left I wanted my husband to take a picture of me so I could send it to my two much younger daughters in law. To show off a little, I guess. He showed me picture number 1. I was horrified! I look terrible! I said cursing that stupid magic mirror. I needed to carry it around with me, obviously. Picture number 2, equally bad. My face looks old, my arms look old! Ugh! I think we settled on picture number 4 or 5, after I successfully dimmed all the lights. (good idea, right?) That picture, although nothing like my magic mirror, was text worthy for two women. (Two women who love me, I should add.)

I sent it to them. Here’s your old but still hot mother in law! Probably should not wear this dress out in public but tonight, because it’s a special occasion and my husband gave me the green light I’m going to be bold. Probably will never wear it again tho….. One came back right away and said I looked beautiful; the other soon followed with Ooh la la! You look gorgeous! That gave me just enough courage to walk out the front door.

As it turned out I did not cause a riot at the restaurant, nor was I thrown out for indecent exposure. I even caught the eye of a much younger man on the way out… Bonus. It made me think. The difference between the way I see me and the way others see me is night and day. Magic mirrors aside, I was aghast at the pictures of me, deeming myself unworthy of that sexy dress. No one else was, including my husband whose opinion outweighs everyone else’s. We are so critical of our bodies, especially as we age. I can honestly tell you that I notice everything. My poor body must have a complex.

Find a magic mirror in your house. If you don’t have one, buy one. The one that makes you look younger and perfectly beautiful, no matter what you are wearing. And then only look in that one when you go out somewhere. Trust me, you are the one who needs to be reminded of how beautiful you are. And you are. God bless.

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