Legend has it my mom watched my first freckles pop out on my nose under the Texas sun. I was two. Though I loathed the growing constellation of pigment on my skin for the next 20 years, I’ve since learned to love it, especially as it reemerges after a long winter. Puerto Rico and my freckles have made fast friends.
As a kid, I actually tried the remove-your-freckles-with-lemon-juice technique. I don’t advise it. It’s possible you may end up with freckles and severely dry, cracking face skin. (Apparently writer Karen Spencer struggled growing up with freckles, too.)
The fancy word for freckles is “ephelides.” All you freckled folk, try that one the next time someone asks you, “So, like, when did you get your freckles? Did they just, like, appear, or were you born with them, or what?” Smugly and seriously say, “My ephelides have been with me for a very, very long time.” Discussion over.
Here’s a pretty simple explanation of how freckles work.
Unlike all the true dysfunctions of my body that wreak havoc on my life and wellness, my freckles are a mostly inconsequential abnormality that I delight in anymore. I’m just really glad I didn’t realize my pinky fingers don’t go in until I was in my 20s. Now that could have been traumatic.
What have you learned to love about yourself in adulthood?
A little note: You know I love (love!) when you comment. Just know I’ll be in Puerto Rico until March 12, and won’t be able to read and respond until then.
photos found on Pinterest, without identifiable original sources
[Friday Feist is a weekly collection of some of my favorite things.]
How about we rephrase the question as “What are you learning to love about yourself in adulthood?” I could spout off a dozen glib answers, but the most honest one is this: My scoliotic frame and what it does to my appearance (which I feel like everyone notices but no one does), as well as how it affects my quadragenarian back and hips (if I don’t take care of myself). I’d prefer freckles. I think they’re charming.
Yes, I think present tense is probably even more appropriate. Amazing how we so often feel our idiosyncrasies are bright, flashing lights, but others see them only occasionally as a glimmer. I agree freckles aren’t so bad. They’re an easy weirdness to love. Now as for everything else…
Much to my dismay, my freckles have disappeared as I have aged. I miss the smattering I used to have across my nose. The few I have get covered by my spackle. I wish there was a way to enhance them.
In the summer, I love to wear a tinted moisturizer that lets my freckles peep through. I highly recommend the paraben-free Tarte (available at Sephora). Try it! You’ll like it! :-p
Yes dear, I did see those freckles just pop up on the bridge of your nose as we sat pool side. I was watching you watch other children blip into the pool–you were considering the big plunge but determined that behavior much too risky.
This is your mom on your computer–at your house taking care of everyone while you gather more of those delightful little freckles in Puerto Rico!
I have always loved my freckles and still do to this day. I was delighted to see that my oldest daughter (8) has developed a smattering of them across her nose and cheeks. So far the other two don’t have any just yet. I also wear very little make-up in the summer because I love that they show through. I once had a little girl in my class ask me, “What are those dots all over your face??” Apparently she’d never seen someone with so many freckles. Gotta love kindergartners.
Pingback: Imperfection | Sunglasses Always Fit