That little suit...

So here it is Summer...the sweet little darlings are all out of school, it is already 90 degrees and in just 2 weeks the little song, "Let me entertain you..." is running through my head. The days where you wish you could "freeze" your house so it could appear tidy for longer than 15 minutes! The days where play dough, paint and beads cover everything but the table! The days where you see your house cat dressed up in things that you are not even sure where they came from...The days where you could win "Let's Make A Deal" just by reaching for some mystery items in your purse. Yes, they are cute, fun and sweet but these Summer days can be long....So is this the hardest part of Summer?

Ah, the family trips! You know the ones...You envision everyone smiling as they count animals in the back of the car, happily singing songs, making fun stops and cherishing every family moment when you FINALLY get there. Stop...reality hits. They swear they can't count, there are no animals and when you are breaking up the ninth fight-you realize they have colored the seats and themselves-not the paper. The dog has thrown up and your fun stops consist of bathroom breaks in places you would only visit out of desperation! And the songs-the only one you hear is in your head--"Hit me with your best shot" or "I will survive.". Your husband is "done" and you just want to get there. And then you do...day one is relief and around day 3 is disbelief---You're asking yourself, "Are we really related to these people". Yep, it is the 3 day rule...family-and that's another story. So is this the hardest part of Summer?

Now, I think the above are very challenging...but my #1 pick is....
You have looked through 10 magazines--folding down the page thinking this one may be it. You go to stores-one after the other-from Target to Department Stores searching the racks. You need the right color, the right size-show a little but not too much-after all I AM a Mom! And the lights...those dressing room lights should be banned! How dare we look a little more pale--after all a friend once told me, "Fat looks much better tanned..." And the mirrors-I prefer the mirror at the end of the "runway" --I can look a tad bit younger and a tad bit thinner from a far...and yes, my pick for the hardest thing in the Summer is the dreaded bathing suit shopping!

Come on, admit it! I remember as a teen and even in my 20's looking forward to "suit searching"! Now, I simply dread it and why? I have pondered this question as often as I switch preferences in Mom suits! We gave up our bodies for Motherhood --it hasn't belonged to us for awhile--and when we glance in a mirror we don't even recognize it anymore.

It has changed. We have changed--and it is hard to let go of what we used to be and what the media says we should be with perfect sized and bronzed models young enough to be our daughters! So somewhere between the "used to be" and want to be--we are stuck. Stuck between wanting to wear a bikini and needing to wear a one piece because we don't look like a model or our old selves! I have done it...my husband laughed when several years ago I bought the skirted suit. I laughed when I bought the bikini. My children laughed when a flowered suit didn't fit right. And so every year, my quest continues-what is the best suit?

My answer arrived in a simple way several weeks ago. We were spending the day at a beach and I caught a glimpse of a lady most likely in her 60's wearing a bikini. I didn't laugh - I wanted to stand up and applaud. She was tan, walked with confidence and ease and didn't even bother with a cover-up! She was ok...and I realized you look good when you feel good about who you are-not so much about what you are wearing. Getting older doesn't mean you have to dress "old" - you have to love being you and express yourself in what you wear!

So, I wore my black bikini the other day with pride and my husband loved it! I may not be the size 6 I used to be-but a lot has changed since then and so have I...

Lisa