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I get a lot of mail from readers and there are a number of themes. One of them is that my gals tell me that my books have woken the Rock Chick within. They are this age or that age and reading my books makes them understand they don’t have to act their age and they can let loose and enjoy life.

This freaks me right the ef out.

What is going on out there, sistahs?

If you are acting your age, stop it right now.

First, what is acting your age? Okay, make sure you get to work on time, do a good job when you’re there, be responsible in paying your bills and looking after your loved ones and don’t be a jerk to other people.

Other than that, have the time of your life. Because you only got one and if you don’t have the time of it in this one, you’ve lost your shot.

Recently, I was in the grocery store and the woman in front of me totally freaking fascinated me. She had this wild ass, dyed brown, long hair. She had on bright, gaudy makeup. She had on this outfit that was totally whacked right the ef out. And these high heeled sandals. She had pearly nail polish on her long fingernails. She was buying a lot of generic food making it clear she couldn’t afford better but that didn’t mean she didn’t buy her generic cakes and treats. And she had a huge smile on her face and a friendly manner with the checkout lady.

And this woman had to be in her late seventies. Maybe even older. Her skin was lined. Her hands wrinkled.

And she was one of the most beautiful things I think I’ve ever seen.

She obviously didn’t have a lot of money, age was against her but by God, she was not going to give up. She was going to look good in her way of looking good and damn, but she worked it. The whole shebang was whacked but in a good way. She smiled. She got her treats. She had a pep in her step.

She… was… awesome.

I wanted to approach her and ask her for coffee or to go to the nearest pub and drink cider with me until we both had to be poured into a taxi.

I wanna be her when I grow up.

You gotta be you. And if the you you are is a you who “acts their age”, swing it, sistah! But if you got a little mini-you inside telling you that you want to let loose. You want to wear that outfit. You want to style your hair that way. You want to play your rock loud in your car. You want to dance on the bar. Freaking DO IT! Don’t let some nebulous social expectation you think folks will have about your behavior stop you. Mature to crazy hair, whacked out outfits, gaudy makeup…

And mature with a smile on your face and a pep in your step knowing you were true to you and you did not waste your time worrying about what you think you should be.

Instead be who you freaking are!

And always work it and rock on!