What does it mean to "grow old gracefully?"

(I'm ignoring the shame I feel for not posting in several weeks.  To be fair, I have had a ton of volunteer work due to an event we put on, and I'm just now reclaiming my "regular" life.)

Today is "International Walk to School Day."  Seriously.  http://www.walktoschool.org/  Now, if you already walk to school, it's not a big deal.  But when you're being bussed, walking to school takes on actual meaning.  My son's school participates, so we got up and out the door to meet at the designated area so that we could all walk to school together - hundreds of kids, parents, grandparents, teachers and dogs all strolling down the sidewalk toward the school with lots of fun and fanfare.  I'd guess it's about half a mile to the school, so a solid mile round trip for the parents to get back to their cars.

It was your standard, cold morning here.  Probably about 40 degrees and the sun was just peeking up over the trees.  The walk went well, as always.  On the way back to my car I was walking behind a group of parents and I spotted a woman who sparked this blog.  She was dressed for 75 degree, hanging out on the patio weather.  Why, on a day you know you're going to have to walk about a mile, do you wear 2 inch heel sandals - with no socks?

In high school, we used to freeze our asses off at the bus stop because we refused to wear hats and gloves and scarves and boots.  Because that wasn't cool.  When I went to college, it was very apparent who the Freshman were once winter hit.  They were still trying to be cool - guys with their varsity jackets wide open with deck shoes and no socks in 10 degree weather with a foot of snow on the ground.  Seriously. 

When we get older, we realize we're being complete idiots, and we start to dress properly.  Looks be damned, I'm COLD!  Gimme a parka and big, poofy mittens!

Now, I can't say that this woman was still trying to dress to impress, or to be cool (Fonzie cool), or she was still trying to hold on to her youth.  But it just struck me that on way of growing old gracefully means you know when to bundle up, and wear clothes that are functional - and you do it.

What did I wear?  Jeans, my husband's coat, tennies.  And not one damn spot of makeup!  Who do I need to impress?  My husband and son already love me!