CLOUD NINE

I recently developed my Christmas pictures which included photos of my husband’s first flying lesson. The lesson was a gift from our thoughtful son and BDIL (beautiful daughter-in-law).   My son told us that he had read an article that explained it’s the “experience” associated with a gift that makes the present extra special.  Using this idea he thought beyond the wrapping paper and in a gesture of kindness, he gave his Dad something every father values – the gift of spending time with his son doing something fun.

So it came about on a sunny Saturday morning my husband’s dream of becoming a pilot came true.  He spent an hour soaring with the eagles and navigating the clear blue skies around fluffy white clouds.  My son and I sat in the backseat of the little Cessna 172 enjoying an aerial view of our hometown.  It was a wonderful day and my husband did very well at the controls.  He was especially pleased when the instructor exclaimed over his exceptional landing; and it would have been flawless landing except for the little wind bump that caused the plane to swerve slightly when touching down on the tarmac.

It is enjoyable watching father and son share many of the same interests.  They both like the same activities and their experiences continue to bond their friendship in our son’s adult years, too.  However, raising a boy was a unique experience for me.  I am the oldest of my parent’s four daughters and became familiar with the notion that the male perspective was a birth right after I married and became a mother. 

When my son was a four-year-old we joined my sister and her children at the local movie theater to see the rerun of Disney’s Cinderella.  As we were watching the lively animation of cute animals frolicking and fussing about as they dressed Cinderella for the Ball my son suddenly stood up and announced, “Let’s get out of here.  There are too many girls and too much pink in this show!”  My sister laughed and asked me what I had done to produce such a reaction from him.  I told her that comment was the Campbell side of the family talking.

His protests were overcome when Prince Charming came on the scene and presented a male presence amongst all the pastel images and flowery songs.  My husband and I enjoyed raising our son and now we are on “cloud nine” because we are enjoying a bit of a fairy tale story ourselves – our son married “Cinderella” and the newlyweds are living happily ever after!

LEFT HANDED COMPLIMENT

I enjoy shopping at the mall and so does my BDIL (beautiful daughter-in-law).  The mall is full of magnificent items that you didn’t know you wanted until a beautiful display entices, and then you just have to have it.  My BDIL purchased a darling sparkly case cover for her phone the other day at a mall kiosk and I just can’t wait to get a case just like it for my fancy new phone. My phone has apps (whatever that is) and I am learning how to text, but the dreary thing really needs some glamour.

When I’m at the mall I’ll check to see if it is “gift with purchase time” at my favorite fragrance counter; although, that department does have some tricky mirrors.  I think the mirror in cosmetics must be rigged to make women look older since right next to that mirror is the display for anti-aging cream!  That’s a very smart marketing technique because when I look at my reflection it’s obvious that I need a product that can counteract the “laugh lines” wrapping around my eyes and mouth.  Nothing is really that funny to etch such a humorous testimony on my face.

Thankfully, there is a part of my body that shows I imbibe from the Fountain of Youth on occasion.  My manicurist thinks I have very youthful hands.  Vicky is from the Philippines and we have known each other for fifteen years so she would be the one to notice how well preserved I am.  While working on my nails she told me that my hands were as soft and young-looking as a girl of seventeen years.  I was enjoying the pampering in word and deed when she continued saying that if only we could – take away my face and take away my body - then somebody might really think they were looking at a much younger person’s hands.  At this point of the conversation I looked away from my “ageless” hands and told Vicky that she had just paid me the nicest left hand compliment I had ever received.

It is nice to think my hands are not in the same perpetual state of decay as my face and body but I agree with Oliver Wendell Holmes when he said “Old age is fifteen years older than I am”.  With renewed vim and vigor I will call my BDIL and ask her to go shopping with me because I really need a chic jewel encrusted phone cover – holding all that sparkly vivaciousness will certainly be a“handy” way to make me feel younger!