my superpower

For many years, essentially since I passed from being a young woman to a middle aged woman, I have lamented being the invisible woman. When I was younger I was noticed, listened to, admired, befriended, believed myself to be seen as pretty even. Then I started aging. It's natural I know and I turned 40 celebrating that I was at a weight I could manage and appreciate, I had a career I enjoyed and a family I loved. At 20 I really didn't have any idea what 40 would look like, I just knew what I did not want it to look like; my mother.

This July I will turn 57. I am no longer noticed, admired, or pretty. Even my husband is no longer attracted to me. I am still the same person I was at 20 and 40. I still have a good career with a job I actually enjoy. My weight remains steady, healthy and a solid size 8/10. I run 5 to 10 miles at a time. I am healthy. And I am invisible. People don't remember that they have met me. Don't recall my name. Can't place where they have seen me before. This happens frequently! For the last 10 years or so it has become increasingly annoying to me.

Today, however, I read something very interesting.

So, it seems I have a superpower! Ha! I pledge to continue to use my invisibility for good and not evil. And now I shall attempt to perceive my invisibility as a superpower and not an annoyance, rejection or humiliation. Perception is everything, they say. So here's to all of the women in their 50's and 60's that are no longer looked at, remembered, admired or valued. We have superpowers!