I was sitting at a coffee shop, minding my own business and getting into my writing groove, when a very loud couple sat down right next to me. All I wanted to do was enjoy my perfectly delicious hot drink. Alone. I love spending time in a coffee shop. Just me and my laptop. It’s one of my favorite things to do. Most of the time.

The shop was virtually empty, and there were a ton of tables for them to find a seat elsewhere.

I really didn’t want to listen to what they were saying, eavesdrop, or even hear what they were talking about. I truly didn’t care. But dear Lord, they were talking so loudly, people in the store next door could probably hear.

I didn’t have a choice. I couldn’t help but listen to what they were saying.

And what they were talking about was Botox.

Yep. The woman was talking about how she’s excited to get Botox, what it will do for her, and how great she’s going to look. And her boyfriend seemed to be pretty into it also. At first glance, she seemed to be around forty something, and looked pretty darn good.

I wait a few moments until they changed the subject. I wanted to get a long good look at her.

And I have to say, she looked even better than I originally thought.

I would never even think she would be considering Botox.

Just when I though the conversation was moving on past Botox, she went right back to it. She talked about her wrinkles, how she can’t stand them, and how great it’s going to be once she “gets it done.”

Who am I to judge? It doesn’t impact me at all, and I can’t stand when I feel like people are judging me. She should do what makes her happy.

On the topic of cosmetic surgery, I’ve always planned on getting my eyes done. I thought it would be nice to pull up the sides one day, decrease the wrinkles, and smooth things out a bit. We all have things about our bodies we don’t like and want to change. And living in this day and age, there are a lot of wonderful cosmetic enhancements we can make. My eyes have always been my area where I thought might benefit from a little enhancement one day.

But here’s the thing. After everything I went through with breast cancer, I’m not sure how much I really care about a few wrinkles anymore. Hey, getting laugh lines and wrinkles around my eyes are signs of getting older.

And it’s a privilege to get older. Never forget this.

We aren’t guaranteed to get those lines. Once I get them, I’m not sure I want to cover them up. I almost think I’ll want to flaunt them, be proud of them, and wear them with pride.

I can’t say for sure how I’ll feel in the future, when I really start to look into the mirror and notice myself aging. But what I know for sure, is that everyone should do whatever makes them happy.

As of right now, today, I would pass on the Botox.

Find meaning each day,

Dara