I got exactly what I asked for, so there is no one to blame but myself. Now I am being reminded daily that the truth is not always pretty.
I found what I thought I wanted on a shelf at Lowe’s recently and Earl was quick to oblige, probably because it was dirt cheap compared to the new washer and dryer sets I had been eyeballing.
“That’s exactly what I need,” I told him confidently, pointing to the item on the shelf.
He picked up the box and we headed straight to the checkout counter without another look back at the appliances. Soon after arriving home with my new gadget, its swiveling arm was mounted at eye level to the bathroom wall directly on the spot that I, myself, had carefully chosen.
I knew this was what I needed and I was satisfied with mypurchase - at least until the moment I tilted the adjustable mirror and put it to its intended use.
I took one look at my gigantic image and gasped. “You’re kidding me!” I croaked. The truth slapped me across the face and brought reality to light, seven-times magnified!
Middle age plays many tricks on the body and deteriorating eyesight is one of them. I am well aware that I am having more difficulty seeing small things like eyelashes. Applying mascara has basically become a shot-in-the-dark challenge, so much so that extra steps have been added to the routine. The ritual consists of applying the makeup in the general area of my eyelashes, followed by putting on eyeglasses and then attempting to use a folded tissue to clean off the smudges where I had missed.
I thought a mirror that enlarged things many times over was the perfect answer. I could lose a couple of time-saving steps in the makeup routine and get the stuff where it belongs on the first try. Obviously, I didn’t think the idea all the way through!
There must be a reason that the eyes work less efficiently as our bodies change in ways best left unseen. It’s the way Mother Nature intended it to be. I could have left well enough alone, but instead I messed the whole thing up bygetting that super-magnified mirror!
While my mid-life eyesight has allowed me - at least to some extent - to live in ignorant bliss, I was not oblivious to the fact that time was taking its toll. But heavens! What I thought were fine wrinkles before my new mirror now appeared more ravine-like in nature. The truth can set you free, I guess, but it first takes some getting used to.
After several days, I have stopped cringing each time I glance at my reflection. I suppose I am becoming desensitized to my new enlarged face and can begin to appreciate the benefits of seeing what is really there - at least to some extent. It has helped too that my husband showered me with kind reassurances, either because he really thinks I look fine or wanted me to stop whining. Either way, his comments were beneficial and I have snapped back into my “thinking-positive” mode.
You know, I have often wished my eyes were bigger, and now they are. My eyelashes are again easy to see and mascara is applied without all those extra steps. From time to time I catch a glimpse of the magnified version of the wedding ring set on my left hand, and I do like the size of those diamonds!
Annette Rowe is a freelance writer and can be reached by email at [email protected].
Opinion, Pages 5 on 01/27/2010