Wishcasting Wednesday: What Do You Wish to Ask For?

I saw an old woman the other day.  She was wearing an orange top and white pants and white wedge heels.  Her hair, silvery gray in the dusky evening light, shone around her face like a soft halo.  She wore red lipstick – and smiled like a beauty queen greeting an adoring crowd.  I actually expected her to raise her arm, laden with 3 or 4 colorful bangles, to wave benevolently to the security guard at the door.

From my little perch in the corner of a coffee shop I watched her go up the escalator.  Unlike women her age she stepped onto that escalator with confidence – no wavering for this little ‘ol lady, no hanging onto the handrail, no waiting for someone to help her.  At the top, she looked around and then started to walk quickly toward a group of people, arms outstretched, her smile wider than ever.  Grandchildren surrounded her and I could see hugs and kisses being dispensed with abandon.

At that moment I thought: I want that. Exactly that. To live long, and happy and proud and strong and loved. To wear whatever color I want to wear and not to worry that I’m wearing too many bangles on my arms.  To be able to go to anywhere by myself, my gray hair and red lipstick announcing my presence.

That is what I ask for.  A long life filled with love, family, success, comfort and strength.  A long life where laughter is served daily and deep, quiet moments are given over for fondly remembering what went before – and yes, maybe allowing a painful memory or two in, if only so I can be more thankful for the happy ones.