Just generally thankful today that my life is relatively cushy.

[arbusto_baboso]

Yes, I'm not wealthy. Yes, I have a modest home and a crappy car. But I don't have debts other than my mortgage, and Thank FSM I don't have the problems my clients have.

Had one client come in today and she's just barely 30 years old. I'll turn 43 in little over a week, and this client looks WAYYYYYYY older than me.

Being poor and having drug issues in the past ages a person fairly catastrophically...

[Arugula Latte]

1. I'm your age.

I'll be honest -- I think I still look pretty good, like I'm in my mid 30s or something. I do drink wine, but I've never smoked and I don't eat red meat and I've always eaten lots of fruits and vegetables and olive oil, etc. I exercise, too. At my dad's funeral a few years back I saw someone I'd grown up with. I didn't recognize her. Big time alcohol drinker, big time smoker, big time gawd only knows what other drugs. It was amazing how horribly she'd aged. I felt awful that I walked right by her at first without a glimmer of recognition.

[arbusto_baboso]

2. Staying out of the sun, not smoking and genes all contribute, too.

Of course, I spent my fair share of time in direct sun, but have some NA ancestry, so it hasn't ravaged my face too badly.

Mainly, though, I think not being desperately poor or a drug user is the biggie for most folks. Poverty means poor nutrition, some bad habits (the poor are disproportionately smokers, et al), and limited access to health care.