A lovely spring bouquet of tulips began to show signs of aging – petals fell off or shriveled and curled on the stem, colors changed, and shapes contorted themselves in unexpected ways.
Not unlike the aging process in our human bodies….
wilted flowers
fallen petals
As we age, we begin to lose a lot of things: hair, teeth, tautness of skin, stamina, quickness of reaction, youthful delusions, sometimes even memory and our mind.
How often do we ask ourselves where did the time go? It seems like I blink and another year is gone. I blink twice, and there goes a decade.
To our surprise, as these youthful petals fall away, windows open into new realms. As our outer layers become less of a proud shield we place between our core and the world, what’s inside begins to show through in a new way.
open
Life’s challenges have a way of laying us wide open. Do we cover our nakedness by attempting to sew the petals back on (a facelift, liposuction, or similar procedure attempting to defy the aging process); or do we accept ourselves just as we are.
Do we dare take a long, deep look at what’s inside and allow that to nourish and define us from now on? Isn’t that infinitely more interesting than chasing those fallen petals?
Can we embrace the new shapes and directions of our life? What beauty, contentment, wisdom, and harmony lies here, now?
wilted tulip
The Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge: Harmony.
The Beauty Along the Road 
Beautiful photos and perspective on aging with grace. Thanks Annette!
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Thank you, Brad. The flowers were just so intriguing in their wilting process, I wanted to see what happened to them over time. And as a midlifer, the aging theme wasn’t a big stretch at all 🙂
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I hear you. I’m having to accept aspects of aging already. Learning about grace, acceptance, letting go & more. 🙂
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Yes, many lessons to be gathered in the process.
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I love this Annette! I almost did a similar post with iris last spring. Watching them age, and the different stages of life. I probably will this spring, although our iris don’t come out until May.I took A LOT of pictures of them last year. I so relate to this. Aging is such a trip!
“To our surprise, as these youthful petals fall away, windows open into new realms. As our outer layers become less of a proud shield we place between our core and the world, what’s inside begins to show through in a new way.” Just beautiful!!!
Aging Gracefully…or disgracefully,
Mary
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Hi Mary – yes, this aging “thing” has to be re-invented by each new generation knocking on the portals, kicking or smiling, gracefully or disgracefully…
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This is truly lovely, and very much in mind with my thoughts and journaling lately. I was born with the spirit of the crone, but now I feel her both teasing me with the beauty of what is to be, and the taunting me with the changes that are to come. Thank you for this. Namaste Shakti Shaman
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Interesting, Kayla, that you were “born with the spirit of the crone.” I think I was in my mid-thirties when I began reading about croning. Then it seemed like such a far-away country to visit…not anymore.
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This is beautiful interpretation of the theme.
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Thank you, Karen.
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The photos are beautiful, and so is the process. Somehow, I’ve managed to move toward old age with a certain amount of cheerfulness. Wrinkles? Gray hair? Arthritic fingers? I’ve lived my way toward them, and they, too, help to tell the story of my life.
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The body leads the way, doesn’t it?! And then we get to choose how we respond…
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What a lovely way to express such a natural process we all go through but we must try to do it with grace, understanding, and aceptance. Bless!
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That is the challenge, Barbara, to bring grace, understanding and acceptance to this phase of life that we only begin to understand as we are moving through it.
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Even though I like to preserve my bouquets for as long as possible, I love looking at wilting flowers. They are making room for new buds. Dried flowers also lend themselves to creative projects. Great capture and take on the challenge.
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Many uses beyond the obvious, so true. In the past, I’ve dried flower petals, leaves, ferns, etc. and made dried-flower collages giving these plants a second life. Thanks, Sabiscuit.
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I am working on a dried flower collage at the moment. It’s good to give them a second life. Keep up the great work.
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Amazing grace:)
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Yes 🙂
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As much as I dislike some phases of aging — the aching back after a too long walk, the ever-expanding midsection, the sagging cheeks, the wrinkles on my neck — I still am happy to be where I am in my life. I hope to age gracefully and accept all those changes with gratitude. I love your aging tulip pictures. 🙂
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Aging gracefully seems to be our hope and prayer, Cathy.
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The aging tulips still have grace and beauty. I enjoyed reading your thoughts on acceptance of the aging process in ourselves, Annette. Sometimes it’s not so easy, but we have little choice, so have to make he best of it. 🙂
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No, aging is not easy. Have you seen the book “Aging is not for Sissies?” Very cool and inspiring. And you are so right – we have little choice in the matter.
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No I haven’t seen the book, but the title sounds quite depressing. 😃
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Actually, it’s about people in their 70s and 80s who are very active and great role models 🙂
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Oh well, that sounds better. 😀 We have a lot of those here in Florida.
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Lovely post Annette. I am 61 tomorrow and the last few years I have been feeling as if I have come of age. Its a really nice feeling. I have matured so much as a woman and a person. Your post is very uplifting. Thank you.
Barbara
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Hi Barbara – no kidding, my birthday is on Saturday! Glad you enjoyed the post – aging is not for sissies 🙂
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Ahhhhhh…happy birthday for saturday..🎊🎈🎉🎊🎀🎉🎁🎈🎉
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Happy Birthday to you, for tomorrow!
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Thank you, x😊
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I love this take on the theme💕😊just perfect
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Thank you, Seonaid.
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Lovely. Happy birthday.
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Thank you, Tam.
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What a beautiful analogy to aging. I often wonder if aging would be better accepted and appreciated if we fully embraced and loved the elderly in our culture. Youth is wonderful, but so is aging.
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There are some cultures left that really honor and take care of their elderly who still have a place in the fabric of society. I find it sad that we have such an age-segregated society and we really need to find a way to reverse this. There are some initiatives that pair retirement homes with pre-schools, for example, that are a step in the right direction… I am personally reaching out to much older people in their 80s, to hear their stories and their life’s wisdom, and to validate that they have a place in my personal life and learning…
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I beautiful piece. So lovely.
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Thank you, Joycelin.
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A graceful perspective on harmony of ageing, using floral metaphor in all its colourful impact, bringing out Browning’s words, “Grow old along with me, / The best is yet to come”.
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Thank you, Rajagopal. Nature has so many useful metaphors for us, guidance for living?
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Wonderful post thank you
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You are welcome. Thank you for visiting.
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