I want to share a great article I read in Parade magazine today. Writer Connie Schultz shared her reflections on five pictures of herself taken at ages 12, 21, 37, 45, and 53, after finding the George Orwell quote she has carried in her wallet for years.
The quote: "At age 50, everyone has the face he deserves."
She says, "Like maps that are repeatedly redrawn, our faces track the march of time..... Even in the faces of strangers, you can tell who has spent more time laughing than frowning, who rolled with life's tumbles and who never recovered."
Schultz's honest assessments of her own five faces is both revealing and thought provoking. I have looked through my own photos and know exactly which five I would chose to represent each decade of my own life.
The piece also reminded me of a slideshow I watched last Tuesday night at the funeral home. An older member of our congregation had died after suffering a massive stroke. I barely knew Paul, but knew that he and his wife Sally were always smiling and laughing.
Viewing each of the photos offered a glimpse into one man's life. In each photo, the first thing you noticed was Paul's giant smile. A smile that made his eyes sparkle, or his head thrown back in laughter. I'm sure that Paul and Sally had their share of sorrows, but the map of his face was filled with laugh lines and crinkles. It was the face, even in death, of a man who chose happiness over turmoil.
May we all continue to find the joy in everyday life, and keep smiling!
Connie Schultz article:
http://www.parade.com/news/views/connie-schultz/index.html
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