The aging process can be difficult for many to face but small kind acts can be sweet reminders that we are all people, all on a journey to explore and learn of life’s trials and tribulations. Its beauty and wonder. For example, a caregiver’s small act made waves and captured the hearts of the internet.
A Heartwarming Post
In 2016, Brandalyn Porter from Texas was painting a new resident’s nails, an older lady who’d requested clear polish because, “My hands are ugly, and I don’t want to draw attention to them.” Brandalyn was a caregiver and nail technician who often gave the residents manicures.
A Thoughtful Response
When Brandalyn heard of the woman’s insecurities she couldn’t help but be confused. She responded with a heartwarming and thoughtful statement. A statement that offers everyone a reminder to love themselves, their bodies, and the life they lived.
“Your hands tell the story of your life. They tell the story of love, care, and adventure,” she told the woman. “These hands have touched and held things that most people can only wish for one day.”
Choosing Pink Instead
The resident was so touched by Brandalyn’s kindness that she opted for a pretty pink in place of clear, as reported by opposing views. Brandalyn added that sometimes our insecurities are the things others find beautiful.
The post flooded people’s timelines as more than 10,000 people quickly shared the heartwarming story of the aging woman and the young woman who reminded her to be proud of her signs of aging.
“Aw, love this! It made me tear up,” one person commented. Another chimed in,
“Such a heartfelt message with an equally beautiful result!” Another person added.
Celebrating Aging
Celebrating aging has become more mainstream in recent years as people have come to realize the importance of the wisdom and knowledge of generations past. For instance, the same year as the heartwarming story above, New Zealand designer, Karen Walker embarked on a creative project celebrating aging in her “Magic Hands” campaign. The project was in tandem with the release of her line of jewelry aimed at “advanced” audiences.
Unconventional Design Approach
The designer used unconventional models for her line, highlighting the beauty of aging hands, describing them as “expressive as faces,” according to Refinery29.
Wisdom from the Aging
Wisdom isn’t only found in the hands but in the advice given by older generations. Here are a few pieces of advice from the elderly, shared by Home Instead.
Wisdom for Aging
“Aging is not ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength.”– Betty Friedan
“The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.”– Frank Lloyd Wright
“Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears.”– John Lennon
“Aging has a wonderful beauty, and we should have respect for that.” – Eartha Kitt
“Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art.”– Eleanor Roosevelt
Read More: Embracing Aging Naturally: Melissa Gilbert’s Inspiring Journey