What Does it Mean to Be a Seasoned Woman?

I am an unabashed hippie child grown older. Tie dye is one of my favorite fashion statements. I wear lavender, patchouli and vanilla. I burn sage and sweet grass in my home. I have two pair of Birkenstocks. I listed to what my son calls my ‘weird hippie music.’ I was 11 when Woodstock made its muddy debut in 1969 and watching videos of it over the years, I know I wouldn’t have been able to stay up all night, even as an adult, slipping, sliding and wading through the grit and grime, being drenched and immersed in wafting pot smoke. I enjoyed it vicariously watching the documentary and listening to a replay in 2019 on WXPN. I’ve been to music festivals in my adulthood, that were folky and family friendly. One that I regret never attending, was Lilith Fair.

This fabulous showcasing of talented women performers was iconic for several reasons. First of all, it was the only one of its kind when it debuted in 1997. Second, it featured the movers and shakers in various musical genres. Sarah McLachlan invited her contemporaries, Paula Cole, Indigo Girls, Bonnie Raitt, Jewel, Cheryl Crow, Suzanne Vega, Liz Phair, Tracy Chapman, Shawn Colvin, Emmylou Harris, Erykah Badu, Lisa Loeb and Natalie Merchant to share the stage. This is the pantheon of woman power in an era that limited their visibility. When Sarah McLachlan approached radio stations to play her songs, the response was typically, that they only played the music of one female performer at a time. She was incredulous since they had no problem with playing the music of male artist en masse and decided to take matters into her own hands. Thus was born Lilith Fair. The narrative of this event that ran for 3 years is highlighted in a magical documentary called Lilith Fair-Building a Mystery.

On Saturday, I sat, mesmerized, with my BFF as we enjoyed Chinese food and the movie. It was the next best thing to being there. What stood out for me, beside the immense talent she brought together and the camaraderie they shared was how these once upon a time youthful, wrinkle free, slim and trim, sometimes waif thin young woman had matured into seasoned women with laugh lines and silver hair, and a few more pounds, in some cases. They were sharing, in snippets about their experience, all those decades ago. I found myself tearing up, laughing and smiling as I marveled at what they all accomplished together. If it happened again, I would absolutely go. For now, I had to be content watching it on a tv screen.

Tomorrow, (October 13th) I turn 67. When I was as young as those musicians, I could not have imagined what living toward the end of my 6th decade would be like. I remain colorfully creative, with purple hair, vividly hued clothing, both of which are regularly commented/complimented on by strangers. I still listen to that music, with enthusiasm and passion.

Today, I treated myself to a photo shot by a local photographer named Amy Paulhamus. She is creating a photography project called 40 Over 40. She is gathering together women who are 40 or older for an empowering photo session and the images of those who sign up will be part of an exhibition next year. It was true delight from start to finish. Normally, I am makeup free or dab on occasional embellishment with cruelty free makeup. Today, I was treated to a hair styling and makeup session by a professional make up artist. The final images will be available in the next week or so, but here are the before and after images taken with my phone.

This seasoned woman is grateful to have made it this far! As I turn the page on the next chapter of my wondrous life, I welcome delights, spectacular adventures, time with family and friends, well being in body, mind and spirit AND more importantly a world in which peace prevails.