I never imagined that, at this age, I would end up living a story that I would one day share with you with shame, pain, but also with gratitude.
My name is Margaret Wilson.
I'm 68 years old.
I live in the United States.
Many of you know me on my blog. For years I have shared small fragments of my daily life there: my personal care routines, my thoughts and my small and great victories.
Many women have written to me telling me that I inspired them.
They said,
“Margaret, thanks to you, I loved me again.”
“When I look at you, I understand that life doesn’t end after 50.”
“You are proof that a woman can be beautiful, cared for and strong at any age.”
I always smiled when reading those words.
Yes, I take care of myself.
Yes, I have financial stability.
Yes, I have a beautiful house, a respected name, many followers, recognition and respect from many people.
But there was something he almost never talked about.
I was alone.
My husband had died years ago
He had been the only man in my life who looked at me like I was the most beautiful woman in the world.
After his death, my house was still full of expensive things, beautiful flowers, letters and gifts...
But there was no longer a voice that said:
“I need you.”
And believe me, sometimes a woman doesn’t need diamonds, applause, or thousands of likes.
Sometimes you just need a sincere phrase.
One day, as usual, I opened the messages on my page.
Hundreds of messages, one caught my attention.
It was from a young man.
His name was Daniel.
He wrote to me:
“I don’t know if you’ll believe me, but you’re one of those few women who haven’t taken anything from them by age. There is life in your eyes and warmth in your smile. I’ve been following you for a long time and I just wanted to tell you that you’re exceptional.”
For several seconds I stared at the screen.
A man hadn't said anything like that to me in a long time.
Maybe another woman would have laughed.
Maybe I would have said,
“It’s just a compliment.”
But I didn't laugh.
My heart trembled.
Not because I was naive...
But because I missed him.
I missed feeling like a woman.
