The Cons

A few years ago I got my first white hair. I was probably about 25 years old and solved the problem by just yanking it out of my head. No, the old adage, pull out a white hair get three in its place, did not come true. I only had to deal with that one little white hair a few times a year and all was fine. I was young, had a good job, a rocking body, and tons of time to do what I wanted to do. No kid to rule my day.

Fast forward to this year, my 32nd year of life. I know it’s supposed to happen, I’m supposed to get older, but it is a very weird process to watch. I now have so many little white hairs that I can’t feasibly pull them all out. In fact, I think I may be ever quickly approaching the age where I have to start coloring my hair. Even when I order a drink at a restaurant, 9 times out of 10, I no longer get carded.

My hair isn’t the only thing aging either. My rocking body, although still rocking, (thanks, exercise!) now has permanent stretch marks because of baby. I’ve come to grips with the fact that it will never be the same and I won’t ever want to wear an itsy-bitsy bikini anymore. My body will just continue to age. I went on a bike ride the other day and fell. Years ago I would have just gotten back up and been fine. Now? Well now, my whole body hurts and I feel like I’ve been in a car accident.

I’m not the only one aging either! My husband, who has a perpetual baby face, is also really starting to look his age. He’s got little white hairs and tiny sunspots. My friends too. When I see them in person (we all live far away) I always feel slightly surprised because everyone shows little signs of age. A new little wrinkle, or an errant white hair and I remember we are adults now. I keep expecting to see the faces I saw when we were eighteen years old. We used to frolic in the sun carefree, but now we hide under big sun hats and sit in the shade.

Even my little dog, my faithful friend of seven years whose muzzle used to be a soft brown, is now white. I, who used to drink no coffee, now drink one a day just to feel awake. I, who used to eat anything and everything I wanted, now think about making sure I eat healthy options that are relatively low calorie.

The Pros

Although the aging process is sad, it’s also great in many ways. I now feel more comfortable with my opinions and sharing them. I’ve lived long enough to be an “expert” in certain fields. I’ve had enough life experiences to provide valid evidence when giving advice. I can now be the “adult” in the room and get listened to.

If I want to do something my way, I can without much pushback from anyone else. I’m a grown-arse woman who can do things on her own! It’s so fun!

So, ladies, it’s okay to mourn what you may have lost, or maybe losing physically. Just remember, you are gaining wisdom and inner strength. You are gaining life experience. You are becoming the expert in the room. You are someone’s MAMA and we all remember what it was like when our own moms were the superheroes who knew everything. You are that superhero for someone else now. Be the hero you were always meant to be and be aging with grace. 

Veronica DeSantos Ryan
Hi Austin mamas! I am Veronica DeSantos Ryan, a mama from Round Rock. My husband and I moved to the area in 2014 and love every minute of it. Our baby Oliver (May 2016) is the light of our life and we are enjoying every minute with him. After spending seven years teaching, I decided that I wanted to be a stay at home mom and teacher of life to my little boy. As a family we love running with Ollie in his jogger stroller, having picnics outside, playing with our two dogs and exploring all the the Austin area has to offer! I am also a performing princess for Lexi's Little Princesses Princess company, a teaching artist at The Georgetown Palace Theatre, and a member of the singing group The Vintage Dreams. I am an avid reader, piano player, singer, and occasional actress in community theater, and have recently been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Miracles and More.

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