I was out doing a little costume jewelry shopping when I was both convicted and heart broken all at the same time.

I popped into Icings this morning to replace a necklace that I love but being that it was only $12 and was over 4 years old, well how long can it be expected to last;). But they didn’t have it and I was perusing their clearance for more stuff I don’t need but I digress;). The sales associate and I were the only people in the store when a woman about 65ish walked in needing an earring back.

She makes the comment that she loves the stuff in the store but doesn’t have any where to wear it. She goes on to say that while her husband wouldn’t dislike it he just doesn’t care and the only other place she goes it to work.

Now for those who don’t know it, Icings is like Claire’s except for actually adults;). Lots of earrings, necklaces and hair stuff.

So I made the comment that she could always get a cute pair of earrings or hair clip to wear to work. She seemed so shocked at the statement. The sales associate concurred that she could totally pull off some flowered earrings (which she was looking at) with the outfit she was wearing. Then she came over to the clearance rack where I was looking and picked up a hair thing and said, “This, this is who I really am. But I can’t wear that.” When I asked why she said that maybe some day she would be able to wear something like that.

I almost cried. For her and for me. I wanted to grab her by her shoulders and (gently) shake her. I wanted to exclaim, “What are you waiting for? Today is the only day you have to be yourself!” Part of what upset me is that I saw myself in her. How many times have I not bought the outfit I love? Not due to money but that it wasn’t practical enough even though I loved it? But I could have worn it to church…How many times have I told myself that next year will be the year to be myself?

When I was pregnant everything, including dressing and habits, were put off until all the babies were born and no longer babies. Now they are 4, 6, 8, 10 and I still find myself saying, “Later”. I even found myself doing it socially to fit in with what were considered my peers.

I hid my geek, my girlie side and my heart to be what I thought others wanted. I urge us all no more! Lets be ourselves now! Not when the kids are grown or what ever the next stage of life is. Because as long as we live there will always be another stage to conquer. We will never have a stage without new challenges, responsibilities and joys. But imagine how much better those challenges, responsibilities and joys would be if we were no longer waiting to be ourselves?