“Once I was looking through the kitchen window at dusk and I saw an old woman looking in. Suddenly the light changed and I realized that the old woman was myself. You see, it all happens on the outside; inside one doesn’t change.”
~ Molly Keane
Today is my birthday. I wanted to show you my life in pictures, but all the really good pictures of me must be packed away some place because I couldn’t find them. You would think they would be with all the other family pictures, but apparently someone took all the best ones of me and hid them. I do, however, have some early pictures of me, such as this one when I was nearly a year old.
Yeah, you’re right. I’m darn cute in that picture. I know what you’re thinking, though. You’re wondering if I’m still that cute. As a matter of fact, I am. I know this to be true because my husband tells me so all the time, and I trust his judgment. I wish I could prove it to you, but with those great pictures going missing…
7th grade school picture
I also used to have red hair, like an Irish setter. Red hair never lasts, and you can’t get it to look natural from a bottle. So yes, I no longer have red hair, but I still have hair, so that’s a good thing. I also still have all my teeth and my original hips and knees. The hips and knees don’t work quite as well as they used to, but they work well enough. I had very little trouble getting down on the floor to play with my three-year-old grandniece during the Christmas holidays. However, my nephew made some rather snide comments about how I looked when I attempted to get up. He did not use the word graceful.
Oliver Wendell Holmes said, “A man over ninety is a great comfort to all his elderly neighbors: he is a picket-guard at the extreme outpost; and the young folks of sixty and seventy feel that the enemy must get by him before he can come near their camp.”
I am not yet that picket-guard, but the extreme outpost is getting nearer. My parents have been gone for many years now, so there is no buffer between me and eternity. Though this day will be a quiet one, I will enjoy it immensely, because each day is a blessing and each breath a prayer.
Oh, wait! Before I leave you, I need to post one more picture of me. This was taken just yesterday. Darned if I don’t still look cute!
Coming East 
You. Look. Gorgeous!!! Happy, happy, CE!
Thanks, Sally. Red hair and all. Ha!
My sweet & long-time best girlfriend shares your birthday. If I believed in signs or horoscopes, I would say that could be why I love your personality so well! 🙂 Happy Birthday to you, & wonderful updated photo of you. That baby pic of you is too cute for words.
Thanks, so much, Country Wife. What a sweet thing to say!
Happy belated birthday! Hope that it was a good one. Just wanted to let you know that the Molly Keane quote was awesome. Great one. I’ll have to remember that. Thanks for posting.
Thanks, Guat. It was a nice birthday. Always a little quiet after Christmas, but that’s okay. I love having a birthday any way they come.
You’re photos prove that you were born as beautiful on the outside as you are on the inside. Happy Birthday! I hope your birthday was filled with smiles and hopefully a well deserved piece of cake to celebrate. 🙂
Alas, no cake, but I got taken out to dinner. It was a quiet but very nice birthday, e.c.
Happy birthday, Susan! I laughed out loud at your line, I bet you’re wondering if I am still that cute, well I am. And judging from those pics..you are!
Thanks, Darla. It takes a cutie to know a cutie.
Happy Birthday Susan – I had that same hairstyle as you in the last picture – darn cute indeed!
I think we all had that same hairstyle, Claire. LOL
True, but mine didn’t look as good as yours. And I really wanted my hairstyle to resemble Marlo from That Girl, or Mary Tyler Moore – unfortunately I failed on both! 🙂
Ooh, you’re right, Claire. My hairstyle does look like That Girl!
….an endearing term for red heads is “who’s your favorite ginger?” Happy Birthday…..hope this year you’re everyone’s favorite ginger!
Thanks, Alexis. Does it still count now that my hair is no longer ginger?
Lookin’ good Susan, happy birthday. I love the last picture – I remember seeing every girl in my brother’s year book with the same look – sweater with tasteful necklace, and flipped-up ‘do. You were right in style, and still are.
Thanks, HG. That was a classic look. Glad the bangs have become more stylish, though.
Happy Birthday! Love your post, but I think I like your comments in the replies even more 🙂
Wow, Angeline…someone who actually reads the comments! I’m impressed! Thanks for leaving one yourself.
That last one is real funny! Happy Birthday, anyhow!
Shofar, you doubt me? LOL
I’m glad you look like your mom. People would say that I had my Dad’s looks. I would be freaked out if I saw him in my rear mirror. You are too precious, Happy Birthday again! You’re a spring chicken yet!
Thank you, Shofar. You have been one of my loyal followers for quite some time, and I appreciate it!
You’re so welcome! We’ve been friends since 4 months ago; I have 3 children also and a similar education and experience as you in school administration, but married 10 years longer. Call me ‘Liz’. Shofar has 2 blogs; the other is hubby’s who has serious, heavy duty stuff. http://drgoldsite.wordpress.com
Thanks for giving me your name, Liz.
I don’t know what you’re talking about, I think these pictures are great. You are just so darn cute! It sounds like you are having quite the birthday celebration. Enjoy! Happy birthday. Too bad you can’t hear me singing to you.
Thanks, Patty. I’m imagining you singing to me. You sound beautiful.
You have a great imagination!
Happy birthday! I once asked my 82 year old grandma how old she felt. Her response, “Oh, about 22.” 🙂
Love it, Murphy! Hope I can say the same thing.
Beautiful post for your beautiful self! Happy Birthday, Susan. 🙂
Thanks, Robin. Sure do miss my red hair, though.
You shouldn’t have to miss your beautiful red hair!
We are three sisters who once had black hair. Mine is now Medium Brown Colorsilk; middle sister is natural salt and pepper; youngest sister is Medium Blonde Clairol.
~Liz
Love your youngest sister’s hair color. Unfortunately, I’ve never seen a natural red color come out of a bottle. Sigh…
Happy Birthday to you! Well, of course, you’re still as cute as a button…just look at that photo from yesterday. Sorry I’ve missed reading your blog for some time now with all the craziness going on in my world, but hopefully, I now have more time to catch up. 🙂
Thanks, Mama. I’ve had trouble keeping up, too. I’m trying to manage my time better.
Happy, Happy birthday, Susan! Love your photos! “it all happens on the outside; inside one doesn’t change.”, well said, Susan! That’s why I try not to look into the mirror…
Ha-ha, Amy. I know just how you feel. Mirrors don’t lie.
happy birthday my cute blogging friend. So enjoyed your post today. From your little profile picture, I would agree with your husband. Once cute, always cute… Hope today is a great day for you, filled with lots of laughter and moments that will make sweet memories. DAF
Thanks, DAF. It was a good day, even if my 4-year-old neighbor showed no mercy in”Go Fish.” And I love that the profile pictures are so small. Makes it hard to see the wrinkles.
Happy birthday, Susan.
“Fannie Mae” bangs. I think it was Fannie Mae. I always asked to have my bangs cut short, and the guy always laughed and said, “You and your Fannie Mae bangs.” He said something like that to me. Anyway, your last picture, and your response to what Stacia said reminded me of it. Nowadays I don’t have bangs. The guy who cut my hair growing up has died, and no one else gives me the bangs he always delivered. *sigh*
This sentiment haunts me. It is beautiful and somber at the same time, “My parents have been gone for many years now, so there is no buffer between me and eternity.” Wow.
Loved your comment, LD. I wonder why we ever thought bangs like that were attractive? LOL. As for the eternity comment, the older I get the more I think about the Big “D” as it gets closer and closer. A year seems to have fewer days in it than I remember.
Happy Birthday, Susan! Love all the photos of you; thanks for sharing them!
Thanks for the birthday wishes, Dianna. Since you’ve met me, you can attest to my cuteness. Thanks for putting up with my sense of humor.
Your hair in yesterday’s picture is really groovy 🙂 Happy Birthday Susan!
Thanks, Stacia. I particularly like the short bangs.
You are adorable! (and lips I would trade mine for any day… excepting I don’t have any)…. Happy Birthday!
Thanks, NQO. Funny how I had those lips yesterday but they’re gone today.
Happy birthday, Susan! From what I’ve seen, you ARE still just as cute. May you enjoy everything you wish for today!
Oh, good, Single Cell. I will be winning the lottery today then, thanks to your wishes.
You are one of the most beautiful women I know, Mom. Happy Birthday!
And you are a chip off the old block! Thanks, Daughter!
Happy Birthday Cutie!!
Thanks, Carol. I miss your writing.
Love it! Happy Birthday sweet one and you still are very cute.
It runs in our family, dear sister.
Happy Birthday! Yes, you are still adorable, even at that far off outpost. Cute. Very cute. I love the red hair and freckles too, and mostly I love your blog. 🙂
Thanks, Dor. I may not have the red hair, but I still have my freckles…or are those age spots?
This is one very clever Happy Birthday post! 🙂 From the opening quote to yesterday’s pic 😉 I LOVE every word.
I have the same style hair in a pic taken yesterday too! hahahhahahahahahaha
(late 70s? LOL the era….NOT your age!!)
Late 70’s, Small House? Bless you, my child! That hairstyle is from the mid 60’s. I’m older than you think! LOL
As your new found friends this year, we personally vouch for your continued cuteness! But George is a smart man to keep reminding you! Happy Birthday!
Yes, you and George are lucky men, Al, to be married to such cuties.
Yes, you do still look cute! 🙂 Happy birthday, Susan.
Thanks, Val.
Happy Birthday to you and best wishes for a joyful year ahead! I must say, your 7th grade picture is probably one of the best I’ve seen, we both know most are hideous during that “awkward” stage. Your hair color would be worth millions if it were bottled. Now go enjoy the festivities!
Thanks, LWTTD. My festivities consisted of going to yoga this morning and playing “Go Fish” with my 4-year-old neighbor this afternoon. Hubby is taking me out to dinner this evening, though, when he gets home from work.
Happy Birthday, Susan.
Thanks, Jenny. I need to hop on over to your post and do some catching up!
You’re hilarious! And you are darned cute, too!! I haven’t heard that Molly Keane quote before but I love it, and it’s so very true. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Thanks, Julia. I’m still waiting to be one of the first to order your novel that takes place in Maine.
Loved the quote…. I still remember the day I looked into the mirror and saw my mother. You are way cute!
Thanks, Life. I remember the time I looked in the rear view mirror and thought my mother was in the back seat, even though she had been gone for several years. Freaked me out.