It appears aging into future will happen with more than a splash of cold water to the face
It was a cold afternoon of stocking up on back-to-school items for his college dorm when we walked out of the store as someone was walking in. She was, affectionately put, a little old lady.
She was shuffling slowly with a puffy, long coat and she had what looked like a hand-crocheted scarf wrapped around her neck. Her hat was pulled down to keep the chill out, but not enough so that we couldn't see her face. As one might expect, her skin had wrinkled with time, creases of her many years streaking around her eyes, nose, and mouth.
When we got to the car, my 20-year-old son got it and said, "I wonder what old people will look like in the future. You know, we have so many creams and procedures now, and everyone seems to be trying to stay healthier longer and fight the clock."
I didn't know what to say because deep down I think it was a really good question. Is longevity (and looking younger than our driver's license says) caused by the latest creams we slather ourselves in and the vitamins we take? Or is it just our genetics?
Simply put by grandma
Driving home from the store, much to my child's chagrin, I waxed nostalgic on my grandmother and the way her face smelled so sweet when I saw her. She told me as a young tomboy that "when you look good, you feel good," which was a hint, I think, to brush my hair and adopt a makeup routine.
She also told me that her secret was to wash her face every night and then splash cold water on it. There may have been a tub of Oil of Olay in there somewhere, but nowhere near the 15-step protocols that seem to be all the rage these days.
While looking younger is great, feeling younger is where my personal goals lie; being wrinkle-free won't do me any good if I can't hit the dance floor. The science of longevity has been studied around the world and while there seems to be nothing super specific that unites people that live well into their golden years, there are some similarities. And they are wonderful. Stay active, don't smoke, have friends, don't let life stress you out, and eat vegetables.
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It sounds simple but very attainable as we head into another trip around the sun. It might be even sweeter if we can have fewer lines on our face, whether it's with expensive serums or just a splash of cold water.
owever, I will argue that those smile lines that form around your mouth are worth every good laugh with someone you love.
Reach Karrie McAllister at mckarrie@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Mystery involved when thinking about what aging looks like in future
