women rowing north

just finished reading "women rowing north" by mary pipher.  it's written for women in their 60's and 70's, but it's never too early to set the trajectory for who we want to become.

just today, i was walking down the sidewalk and saw a lovely woman of elder age walking a dog.  i smiled and she stopped to chat.  turns out she was walking the dog for a friend of hers and needed some help with the leash.  even though we only chatted for a few moments, it was a highlight of my day.  she said simply, "what a privilege it is to look around and see all this beauty today!"

and it was indeed beautiful.  the magnolias were sending out their first blooms along with the camellias and cherry blossoms.  blue sky interspersed with huge white cumulous clouds and a slight breeze on our faces, upturned toward the sun.

i hope, as i begin my journey toward elderhood, to cultivate just such an attitude as that lovely lady had today.

is there someone you aspire to be like as you age?