I’m sitting in a plush chair surrounded by frilly pillows on “the coloring deck” at my salon. I love this place. My white roots (yes WHITE; I can’t even call them gray. Sad commentary) vanish while I’m here, and I get to enjoy some adult conversation with Jenn, who has been doing my hair for 9 years. Best of all, salon time is ME time, which I carve out every five weeks to sit, relax, and take care of myself a bit.
Next to me sits a woman who has probably already celebrated her 85th birthday. With her gray locks in rollers, she has hobbled with her cane to sit under the dryer and get a pedicure while her hair sets.
“What can I get you to drink?” asks her beautician.
“What do ya got?” answers At Least 85. “Sprite?”
“Hmmmm, I’m not sure we have Sprite. How about a Coke?”
“Coke?!!” questioned At Least 85. “That stuff’s bad for ya!”
I’m sitting here thinking: (1) What’s really the nutritional difference between a Sprite and a Coke? and (2) When I’m At Least 85, I’m gonna drink – and eat – whatever the hell I want.
“What’d you have for lunch?” Health-Conscious At Least 85 asks Pedicurist.
“Cottage cheese.”
“With what?”
“Just cottage cheese,” answers Pedicurist. “I’m trying to watch what I eat.”
“Cottage cheese has no taste.” says At Least 85.
“You don’t think?”
“Nah-uh,” At Least 85 shakes her head as she munches on a Ritz cracker, most of which falls to the floor.
This whole scene is quite something to see and listen to. But what I love most about the whole scenario is the fact that At Least 85 is … well, at least 85, and she is still pampering herself. She deserves it. We all do.
As moms – as women – we play so many roles. We are caretakers, homemakers, teachers, nurses, consultants, chefs, therapists … just to name a few. We need to remember to take time – MAKE time – for ourselves.
So go pamper yourself! Get a massage. Enjoy your favorite ice cream cone. Read a good book (or a scandalously trashy romance novel). Sip expensive wine. Color your roots. Color your soul … with whatever makes your spirit feel warm and fuzzy.
The World of Author/Mom Alicia Murphy! 
I absolutely adore you for writing this. Well I adore you anyway.
I am re-reading 50 Shades of Gray now. So thank you for making me see I am pampering myself and I really don’t have ADD.
Love you! Lori
Sent from my iPad
Good for you! Get your pamper on! … Ooooh, that came out weird. You know what I mean.
Make time for YOU. You so richly deserve it!