Happy Tuesday, My Friend!
Well, like it or not, swimsuit season is here. Last weekend was my first experience of putting on my bathing suit for the season. As I yanked and tugged and stretched and pulled, I thought to myself, Dang it! I forgot to starve myself during the winter so this would be easier! The magazines warned me that swimsuit weather was around the corner, but did I listen? No! I just kept on eating food and enjoying my life! Well, I only have myself to blame. Pull. Tug. Stretch. Yank.
For the most part, I’m happy with modern-day fashions. I’m glad women don’t have to wear corsets that are tied so tight we can’t breathe. I’m glad I don’t need to wear dresses so long that my scandalous ankles aren’t showing. But you know what? I kind of wish those old bathing suits of yore would come back into style.
Oh, for the ladies’ bathing suits of circa 1875! You talk about coverage! First of all, there was a pair of pantaloons that covered more than just thighs—they went all the way to the ankles! And then over that was a dress! With long sleeves! I’ve reached a time in my life where I think this isn’t such a bad idea. If only they would extend the neckline up a bit to cover the neck as well, but somehow turtleneck swimsuits weren’t even popular back in the 1800s.
Basically, if I had a suit that covered everything I wanted to, it would be a scuba-diving wetsuit. Except still, that would be a bit too skintight, and I don’t think they make those with ruching at the waistline. There goes that idea.
Looking back on my swimsuits through the ages, I was particularly fond of one I had in high school. It was a two-piece, of course. No self-respecting teenager would dare to wear a one-piece in 1975. The horror! This suit was all white with a swirly stripe of orange and yellow. Bikini (but not too teeny) bottom with a halter top. The finest the JCPenney catalog had to offer. In those days, there was no yanking and tugging to get something on. I was actually trying to gain weight at that age. While many other girls had the curves I longed to have, I had lots of straight lines. Picture a toothpick (one of the flat kinds) in a white two-piece suit. That was me.
So, back to last weekend. There I was, bathing suit on and ready to hit the pool. I looked in the mirror and wondered what on earth my face was doing on my mother’s body. When did this happen? I know it didn’t happen overnight, but it’s pretty darn close. And the thought of trying to find a different bathing suit that involves less yanking and cranking is so depressing. Trying on bathing suits can either be absolutely hilarious or horribly depressing. I recommend you go with your sister or a friend and get side-by-side dressing rooms. I have a memory of my sister and me doing this years ago. We were either trying on swimsuits or bras and laughing hysterically at ourselves. If you’re going to feel ridiculous while trying something on, it helps if someone is doing the same in the next room. Laughter will surely ensue.
Alright, so after I felt all “not young anymore” and got outside and into the pool, I considered my situation: So, I don’t look like I’m 27 anymore—duh—I’m 65. I might now have “more of me” these days, but I’m still here! My body still, for the most part, does what it’s supposed to do. My legs, though not perfectly toned, still take me for walks every day. Both my arms work, and I absolutely love wrapping them around the people I love. So far, the Good Lord has seen fit to wake me each morning and to keep my heart beating and my lungs filling with air. My eyes can see, my ears can hear. And praise God, I can drink coffee every morning. All things that some people don’t have the privilege of enjoying.
And then, I thought, Here I am, floating around in my pool. “My pool.” If you had told 9-year-old Patti that I’d have a pool in my yard someday, I’d have thought you had to be lying. What is better than going to a pool when you’re a kid? That might have been a once-a-year event when I was young. And now I live in a house with a pool in the yard that I could jump in anytime. Not that a pool in itself was the big deal, it just made me start to think about all I had for which to be grateful. A house. A car. Food in my kitchen. Clothes in my closet (albeit a bigger size than before). And wait—how can I list those things before being grateful for my husband! My family! Friends!
Yeah, yeah, yeah, so now I wear an unattractive bathing suit designed for “mature” women, whereas once I wore a white bikini with an orange-and-yellow swirl. Once I bought clothing to accentuate the positive, but now I try to cover up the negative. I’m trying to hang onto the blessings I have and focus on them, rather than think about what I don’t have anymore. And honestly? I think we still rock those suits, no matter the style or size. Give yourself a little wink in the mirror—you look fabulous, friend!
Mary Oliver has a great quote: “Sometimes I need only to stand wherever I am to be blessed.”
Wherever you find yourself standing this week, I hope you can take a minute to take inventory of your blessings. Even if one of them is a bigger bathing suit than last season.
Written with love – – – Patti XOXO
PS – This has nothing to do with this post, but have you read the book, Lonesome Dove? I just started and am daunted by its sheer size! I’d love to know what you thought!