what costume are you wearing?

a photo of me where I look nearly 49 but I also have fire in my eyes. I like that combination. by Willow Koller

My brother and his wife texted to invite us over for Sunday lunch.  It is nice for our kids to get together and kind of bump our lives up against each other every now and again.




Jokingly Geoff said "Don't forget it's fancy dress"

I replied " I will come as a nearly 49 year old housewife"

Which was funny... until it wasn't.

I am to all intents and purposes a 49 year old housewife.




I write artist on my official forms because it feels good.  But to the outside world that measures who you are by the work you get paid for I am ostensibly a nearly 49 year old housewife.




And that kinda floored me.  I don't feel like a 49 year old housewife.  I am still the woman with dreams of travel and deep knowings that are linked to old wisdom and magic.  I am still the woman who loves to dance like there are no barriers, lie naked in the sun and laugh until breath is hard to find.  I am still full of possibility and wildness.

And I am in this costume of a nearly 49 year old housewife.




It made me wonder as I saw others what costume they might be wearing.  What the exterior hides.  What their true song is under the compromises they have made with the world.




Tell me, what costume are you wearing.