Mejojac's Memos

Laugh Lines
When we were in Idaho, we got the chance to go visit my Grandma M - my Mom's mom. There are some pretty amazing things to see at Grandma's house. She has all kinds of flowers in her garden - including these orange lilies that attract butterflies and this huge snowball bush.
There are also some really great displays outside of old farm tools and equipment.
Then, there's the box. This box has been around forever and it is FULL of sports equipment! Grandma always loved a good game of softball or badminton and she always had the stuff right outside the front door for anyone who wanted to get out and play.
Then we have some displays in the house that I love. Like this one over the fireplace in the back room. That's my Grandpa's old shotgun and then each of the items on the mantle have a story or meaning.Also in the back room are these crazy creatures. I have no idea what they are, but when I was a kid, they scared me to bits!And then we have the owls. Grandma has collected over 200 owls! We counted them one time, but we got lost and couldn't remember which ones had been counted already. Here is a collage of SOME of the owls....And then, of course, we have Grandma.
I don't know if I've ever really appreciated the woman my Grandma is till now. She always seemed so strong and tough, that at times, it felt intimidating. But as I watch her with my own kids, I can see that I spent too much time being unsure of myself around her. She is open, friendly and kind. And the thing I noticed the most this trip? Laugh lines. She is constantly cracking a joke or telling a silly story. And even when a serious discussion is being had, she usually ends it with a smile on her face.
I thought about this last night as I was smearing anti-wrinkle cream on the creases in my forehead and around my eyes. I took a good long look at those folds that are starting to appear and realized something about myself: those aren't laugh lines. They are from furrowed brows and scowling eyes.
Once again I realize that my priorities are perhaps a tad askew from what they should be. Yes, there are some serious things going on in the world, but that doesn't have to stop me from finding joy in it.
And so, I have a new goal. Laugh lines. I know I can't reverse the aging process (well, without someone sticking needles in me or pushing and pulling my face with a knife in hand), but I can choose to be more joyful. And hopefully, in the end, I will have amazing memories and beautiful laugh lines, just like my Grandma.