A beautiful confession and touching tale we all face. You have captured the subtle vanity we all have and did so with such grace.

I love your wording about becoming invisible — perhaps because it hits close to home. Turning a “certain age” this year felt like it sealed the nail in my already-rotting coffin. I haven’t felt looked upon for many years now.

Luckily, I have a woman who sleeps beside me at night whose love and affection is a sustainable natural resource. I am also constantly rejuvenated through the eyes of my young daughter. Though she jokes about my “p[r]ickly” face, when she wants her kisses, I am happier and younger than ever.

A long-winded way of saying: thank you for sharing this story.