Glamorous

A few days ago, something happened that I have been thinking about ever since.

I was at a clinic in Dubai for my yearly check-up. I was wearing a simple skirt and shirt and had done my usual, simple makeup. Nothing special, really. I wasn't going anywhere afterwards and I certainly hadn't dressed up for the occasion.

During the appointment, the doctor looked at me and said, “You look glamorous.”

It was such a simple thing to say, but it really made my day.

I thanked her, of course, and we continued with the appointment. But later, I caught myself thinking about that word.

Glamorous.

It is such an interesting word, isn't it?

What does it actually mean to look glamorous?

For many people, I suppose, glamour means beautiful clothes, high heels, perfect hair, jewellery and makeup. And there is certainly nothing wrong with that. But somehow, the word feels bigger to me than that.

I have always loved fashion and everything that comes with it. I have also had the privilege of experiencing some truly glamorous moments through modelling. But that morning was not one of them.

I was simply myself, going for my yearly check-up.

Perhaps glamour has something to do with the way we carry ourselves. With confidence, femininity, personality, or simply feeling comfortable with who we are.

And maybe that changes as we get older.

I have just celebrated my 59th birthday, and I have always loved my birthdays. I have never wanted to hide my age. Quite the opposite. I enjoy celebrating another year of life and everything that comes with it.

Of course, getting older changes things. Our faces change, our bodies change, and we see the world a little differently. But I think there is also something wonderful that comes with it: we get to know ourselves better.

We become less concerned with what we are supposed to be and more comfortable with who we actually are.

Perhaps that is where confidence comes in.

Not the loud kind. Just the quiet feeling of knowing yourself.

So I keep thinking about that doctor and her lovely little comment.

She probably didn't think much about it after she said it. For her, it was probably just a compliment.

But for me, it stayed.

Sometimes, the most unexpected compliments are the ones we remember.

And this one, I think, I will remember for quite some time.