a few days ago at work a lady came in looking for an outfit for her high school reunion. she was a bit flustered, considering she only had a few hours before she had to leave. after a good few minutes scavenging the floor for something appropriate, she landed in a fitting room. arms piled high with sweaters, gem adorned cottons, tuxedo slacks and satin tops in all colors, shapes, and sizes. another 10 minutes or so she exited, frustration on her face.

time had elapsed for her-too fast. i imagine a marriage, a demanding job, a few kids, maybe a pet or two, a house and it's duties and life in general had taken over. and now she was going to have to face people she hadn't seen in 10 years or so and even if they didn't ask, she would have to explain how life happened.

she told us that when she was in high school she modeled. "you probably would never guess," she said laughing with a hint of embarrassment. but it didn't surprise me. her hair, maybe dyed a bit too much, swept across her forehead as she dug through her purse. her skin, aged with crow's feet wrinkles and sunspot freckles, was worn but glowing. and her shape, the sum of a few kids and life, was beautifully curvaceous.

it didn't surprise me.

we live in a twisted world. our ideals, moral standard, definition of perfection and success are all skewed. men or women who haven't chosen to live a lifestyle that is expected or is supposed to be desired are outcaste. people who choose to put their families first, who don't throw someone under the bus for an extra dollar, who spend their days with the dirty, poor and oppressed, who have their cake and eat it too.

Lord,
guard our hearts and minds from the distracting expectations of the world. let us live.

-pax