Grace

The ability to age gracefully seems to have a lot to do with the ability to replace body parts and the sense to know when not to.

Being able to keep a smile whole and dazzling goes a long way towards feeling good about myself. And being able to get those cataracts removed adds more than removing squinty eyes.

It is also tempting, on those days when the mirror reflects not just my wisdom, but the actual ruts in the road to get to it, that I am tempted to have more body work done.

A tummy tuck to erase years of overeating. Bunion surgery. Toe straighteners. A chin lift! A face lift! Why not!

Well, because every operation takes its toll on skin, joints, bones, agility.

Actual vitality and energy become more attractive than a smooth, straight, body after a while. I don't want to be a beautiful mummy in three thousand years. I would prefer to be a vital grammy now.