Laugh Lines

According to the radio, tv and print ads bombarding me daily, I'm supposed to use expensive anti-aging creams to get rid of 'crows feet' and 'signs of old age' near my eyes. Really? Because every time I see them I thank God. I'm thankful that a) I've lived long enough to have them, and b) I've been blessed with hysterically funny family and friends for 44 years. How lucky am I?
Those laugh lines are from years of just looking at my sister, catching her eye, and bursting out loud. Those lines are gifts from Cath, Em, Carrie, ShariLou, Nancy Beth, Kristen, Tim, Phil, Steve, Dave and, of course, Wal. Those laugh lines are college memories, a power outage with Lisa, late nights with great housemates, and road trips. These lines of joy continued to grow after moves from NY to CA, and increased as I was blessed with new friends in Jane, Michelle, Jayne, Jules, Snad, Nicole, Dirk, Freda, and so many others.
Some of these lines are direct results of funny and creative neighbors, including Woolfs, Laus, and Stauffachers.
And all of these lines were started by my family - Rheins, Douglases, Hurwitzes and Eddins, who continue to make me laugh until I snort. Maybe some day I'll laugh like my mom does when she's overjoyed - a wide smile and no sound (only the angels can hear it). But then my kids will do their best to imitate Nana and reduce Wen and I to tears again.
So no, I won't be buying any anti-aging lotion to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. While there are days I admit to wanting an all weather turtleneck to hide my chocolate chins, I don't think I have 'crows feet.' What I see reflected in the mirror is a lifetime of friends and family, giggling, guffawing, and snorting with love. Thank God.