Robbie's Story 02/10/2010
 
I introduced you to photojournalist Robbie Kaye in the blog post Timeless Beauty. I asked Robbie about how her experience of documenting these older women in her Beauty of Wisdom project has influenced her life. She has graciously agreed to share her answer and insight with us:

 As I approached turning fifty, I started thinking about my future as a woman, as a person. In “Beauty of Wisdom,” I was fortunate to photograph and interview my elders, women in their seventies and above, and I felt like I was looking into their eyes searching for who I was to become.  Every single woman I met had a gift to share; an anecdote, humor, poignant words about aging and about their sacred connection to their hairstylist.  If I wrote a thank you note to all the women of Beauty of Wisdom and all the women that they represent it would read something like this:

Dear Women of age and beauty,

Thank you for providing a look into my own future, one that is now filled with inspiration and enthusiasm.  You have shown me what real courage is, the kind that comes from embracing life fully without expectation, except to be happy and connect to people.  You have reminded me what is important in life with your anecdotes and stories and pearls of wisdom.  Thank you Ellen, 70, from New Orleans, for reminding me to live authentically and Mrs. Guste, 89, who enlightened me about owning things.  Her house was looted during Hurricane Katrina and all her jewelry was stolen, all the jewelry that her husband ever gave her…and she was wearing white plastic pearls and said, “everything is on loan, it’s all borrowed and when it goes away, it’s time to give it back.” Their lines on their faces, their white snowy hair, their hands strong with evidence of hard work and deep love gave me reasons to look forward to my own aging process and not to fear it or be ashamed by it.  There was not an ounce of shame present, maybe shyness, but no shame.  Now I have more role models than ever, to follow in their footsteps, my own mother and Lillian, who shared emails between her and her friends on the topic of aging in ways that kept me laughing and honoring their position in this life. I thank them for their “take me as I am” attitude, which gives us all permission to live in that way if we choose…as they have done, with no regrets as they still look forward in their lives….and to their weekly ritual of going to the beauty parlor where they connect with other warriors like themselves…who have been going for most of their adult lives, attending to their self-care in more ways than just getting their hair styled.  Thank you for leading the way….you all are quite visible to me. 

With love and gratitude,

Robbie 

Thank you, Robbie. I hope that we may all experience the deep wisdom and beauty of those who have traveled this earth before us.
 


Comments

Maia Berens link
02/10/2010 08:52

I love how you phrased it - "I felt like I was looking into their eyes searching for who I was to become" I've been fortunate enough to have had two role models that I would like to become - but I better hurry. I'm 67. But seriously, I can feel your sense of honor and understanding that what these women have to offer is priceless and the same is and will be true of us. As long as we keep knowing that, then others will know it too.

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Karen Black
02/10/2010 09:02

With love and gratitude to you, Robbie, for sharing your vision. The Beauty of Wisdom is such an important group of photographs. I am going to show my granddaughter! The wisdom of Mrs. Guste ring in my ears.

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Beth Wernick link
02/10/2010 09:36

How wonderful to be able to see these women and to learn from them; a
keyhole to who we will hopefully, one day, become -- and to realize there's no fear in growing older. There's so much more to experience and how much the sweeter that will be. Thank you, Robbie, for bringing so much joy to
my own Mother, who truly felt honored by you and your amazing work.

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Doris Kreinces
02/10/2010 09:37

Every Mother should feel the pride and satisfaction, that I feel due to
having a daughter with so much insight & feeling into a world of
experience and the blessing of seeing "Wisdom".
Thank you my dear daughter!.
With much love and adoration,
Mom.

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Rita link
02/10/2010 10:37

Robbie,

This was beautifully written and is clearly coming from an authentic heart. You are doing amazing things. There are so many people who overlook our entire generation of elders. What fools we can all be!

The bounty of wisdom you uncovered and discovered on this trip, is only the beginning:) Can you imagine how much powerful wisdom these ladies have to share? It's intense and beautiful all at the same time.

Great project of the heart and I feel connected to each of these fascinating ladies! Thank you Robbie for shining a light on them, even for a moment in time--

Rita Ross

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Robbie Kaye link
02/10/2010 12:43

Thank you so much for all of your encouraging comments, it really is so heart-warming and I appreciate your help in shedding light on this subject. Thank you Rebecca, for all the work that you do and for offering this forum to share my work. Together we will invite change for the perception of age and beauty and begin to "see" these very important women.

Just as a side note, Beth's mom is Lillian, 83, who I was fortunate enough to photograph in Houston, TX

And far from last...thanks mom!

Robbie

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Rebecca Elia link
02/10/2010 13:28

What lovely comments! Robbie, it is a joy to have this opportunity to share your insightful experiences with us. Thank you! These lovely women have expressed the same gratitude that I feel for you and your work. Yes, together we invite change and heal our perceptions.

Rebecca

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CoachDebbie link
02/10/2010 15:34

Robbie,
Your photographs show that you have an eye for beauty, and can capture the visual essence of what many others can only feel. Whether it's the tapestry of colors in a sunset, or the etched beauty in the crease of an aging face, you have the ability to freeze it in time and offer it as a timeless gift.

Beauty of Wisdom is a project that will change lives! Women will let go of their fear of growing older as they recognize the beauty, power and grace that comes from living.

Thank you so much for your amazing photos and heart felt words! I am honored to be part of this project with you, and to call you my dear friend.

Love,
Coach Debbie

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Ann@IW link
02/10/2010 17:05

I have had the chance to look at some of these lovely photos. Beautiful work! The wisdom and grace Robbie captures in her photos gives glory to God. I see this same grace in my own beautiful mother, now 76. Thank you for the interview.

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bridgie
02/10/2010 19:39

“everything is on loan, it’s all borrowed and when it goes away, it’s time to give it back.”
i was reminded of this just monday when my bike was stolen. the first part of my response was of course anger and feeling violated in some way. but the next was prayer. prayer for peace, for healing and what i got was inspiration (much like this article, much like THESE women) to give it back. and today, i felt brighter and lighter because in the end it really wasn't mine and while i needed it, someone else must have felt they needed it much more. so maybe being inspired is healing's spouse...thank you Robbie, (and to all these women, and all the women in my life) for your inspiration, for your healing in my life.

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Lily@IW link
02/11/2010 02:34

'You have shown me what real courage is, the kind that comes from embracing life fully without expectation, except to be happy and connect to people"

I love Robbie's above definition of real courage. So many times, our expectations get shook up by life. I would imagine these women have endured their hardships and losses. The wisdom they can share from their life experiences is something to be respected and from which to learn. Thank you Robbie for bringing attention to the beauty of wisdom these women possess.

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Shuli
02/11/2010 07:18

Thank you for this project. It has changed the way that I thnk about aging, both mine and of the elders in my own life. Your photographs are so touching and inspiring, and the stories are timeless. Thanks!

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Pam@IW link
02/11/2010 23:50

"I felt like I was looking into their eyes searching for who I was to become."
Isn't this the truth. I find myself thinking about this a lot lately. This is such a great project. Love Robbie's work.

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Julie link
02/12/2010 06:54

Rebecca and Robbie,
Thank you for bringing your wisdom, and the wisdom of these wise souls, into our awareness. I am so touched by the truth of what you write. It leaps from the words into my heart. Mrs. Guste's words touched me deeply, " “everything is on loan, it’s all borrowed and when it goes away, it’s time to give it back.”" It IS all on loan. None of it belongs to us. What wisdom our entire world could benefit from hearing.

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