Middle age brings reflection…a time to understand myself and my life. I look in the mirror and see the map of my life…the lines of my face. The creases around my eyes are a lifetime of smiles. Gentle lines from the corner of my eye to my cheek…the path of tears. Around my mouth…laughter, joy, a lifetime of expression. Barely noticeable frown lines…I rarely frown. My eyes bright, clear and expressive…my smiles frequent.

So what or who do I see in the mirror today? I see a woman who fully embraces life and that means allowing everything to be as it is. To fully experience joy as well as sorrow. I've learned to allow the depths of sorrow and joy which have led to a sort of equanimity. A place where there are no more extreme highs and lows but a peaceful acceptance with what is.

The present times offer all kinds of solutions to fix the lines of my face…botox, creams and lotions, plastic surgery, you name it. As this body ages I feel the same youthful exuberance I always have but the body reveals the passage of time. Time is a gift and a great blessing. Aging is a gift and blessing. With age comes something we cannot attain in any other way…life wisdom.  For the wisdom I have gained, the patient, kind, generous and loving woman I have become I acknowledge with sweet surrender the map of my life in the mirror….the lines of my face.