Most-aged face

Aug 03

Most-aged face

 

Last week I was gifted an opportunity to travel to a majestic place with wonderful girlfriends in honor of my friend’s special occasion.  The girls spent the week at camp, and Brad kept the home fires burning.  Focused time together with girlfriends was a treasure.  We stayed in a historic inn, and I loved the aesthetic.

Every exterior wall and the primary interior walls of the inn were entirely made of rough cut granite boulders.  This made the walls five feet thick, with boulders up to 10,000 pounds according to the plaques and signage around the estate.  I found myself tracing my fingers along the stone marveling at the daring and ambitious design as well as the determination of the builders to move and install these rocks.  History is a series of stories, and — as a storyteller — I love discovering the story of the people behind the places I visit; it makes the place come alive.  My favorite nugget from this particular place was reading directions about the facade of the hotel walls from the visionary himself.  Before construction — before it was even designed — he ordered that every stone be placed into the walls with its most-aged face on display: the effect is that the irregularities of the rock from weather, nature and geologic forces are featured in the walls.  The walls have a story to tell.  It is majestic; it is unexpected.

I loved thinking about putting the most-aged face on display.  The most-aged face is the most worn, tender, vulnerable, scarred, broken part.  It shows where you’ve been, where you are coming from, the shape you arrived in today. I think it is a good descriptor for good relationships.  My favorite friendships are the ones where we are raw and true with each other.  There is no posturing, posing, sucking in, or smoothing over.  It requires trust and faith.  My most-aged face is the truest version of me.  I think this desire to know and be known is why I don’t hesitate to go deep with people when I meet them, and probably why I overshare on the internet: I place a high value on the story that make us who we are.

It’s my challenge of the month: to live joyfully with my most-aged face fully on display.

*Thank you to all those who notified me they aren’t getting email notifications any more.  I’ve looked into it on my end and can’t identify a simple fix, but it’s probably me and not you.  I will continue to see if I can figure it out.  Technology woe!

8 comments

  1. This is why so many love you! You’re real about your journey & still keep persevering. You don’t sugarcoat your situation but you try so hard to stay positive for your precious family.♥️?

  2. Cindy Mitchell /

    Jen, I am glad you got to go to a majestic place… We all need that every now and then.. Glad to see you are blogging again. It is nice to hear your stories with your girls, family and friends.. Prayers for you.. Take care and in touch..

  3. Kim Rourke /

    I am one of those current non-receivers.?. Sounds like the perfect trip for body AND soul!

  4. Bonnie Jackson /

    Love this post… From an Aged Face.. I echo your sentiments and am glad that this is so beautifully shared!!

  5. Patty Wheeler /

    Sending our love!

  6. Christin /

    I love reading your posts!!! Yes and amen to us ALL letting others seen our most-worn side! I’m better in every way from seeing yours!

  7. Marlayne /

    Jen ~
    I was one also missing your posts of Real Story Telling with compassion & truth ~ So glad you got away & enjoyed ?

    Hugs,
    Marlayne ?

  8. Louise /

    I received my cancer diagnosis in 2012 also. I have followed your story but I no longer receive the e mails. I miss them and I care about how you are doing. I hope to get back on the list. In the meantime I hope you are doing well.