Yes, that’s me in the photo … rushing through the elegant and brightly lit three-story Multiplaza Mall in Panama City with one thing on my mind … where the heck is that little dance shop where I can buy tickets to Capellia, the Ballet that is coming to town?
Quite suddenly, a bright-eyed stranger pops up in my face, “Can I take a picture of that blouse? It would look fantastic on my mother!” “Okay,” I smile, having a moment of compassion for anyone’s mother.
I ask my question in my best broken Spanish for where is that little dance shop, and the next thing I know he is offering his arm for support, and being the gentleman he is, takes my rolling shopping cart from my hand … all in perfect English!
We walk … he talks … huge orbs of dark piercing eyes with just as big a smile in a boy-size frame, rattling the question off to everyone we pass in rapid Espanol, promising to help me find those ballet tickets, and repeatedly stating how much I remind him of his Russian mother.
Photos of his mom dance off of his cell phone as I am in one moment wary of his intense presence, and the next moment trusting that an angel has come to help me find my way. I begin to relax once we have walked for twenty minutes or so and voila! there hiding behind the Olive Garden Restaurant is my little dance shop.
This story has a poignant point. The point is a female one, so please hang in there as you rush through yet another online article with no time to finish it.
Once back at his shop, which is on my way to the supermarket, he steers me into the treatment room in back with the question, “How would you like to look twenty years younger in the next twenty minutes?” All crooked teeth shining through a huge smile and eyes dancing with light, I weakly resist , “Well, only for twenty minutes! Really I must get going … you’ve been great, Gabriel, but my husband will be wondering, etc…”
ONE HOUR LATER, no make-up on at all, I exit the back room – glowing – looking more than 20 years younger. For months I have been asking… “Please Goddess, show me how to take care of my face. I need masks, cleanser, serums, even a new good make-up, but no idea where to start.”
My search is over. Pure and angelic to a tee, my Angel Gabriel, the Israeli/Russian cosmetologist owner of the shop and guide to the ballet tickets, taught me more in that hour in the treatment room than I have ever known from a lifetime of facials and a vast number of products. I also spent a small fortune for my bag full of the Queen’s creams all nestled in elegant boxes and divine tissue! Far more than the products themselves… horribly high-priced, is the new routine of love I now have for my ever-so-familiar image in the mirror.
I really have my Glow On… Plus! Monthly facials in the little back room! No more botox! I’m letting my blond hair grow out to authentic grey, encouraged by others who lead the way. I invite you into the phenomenon of “natural aging”!
*TIP from the Angel Gabriel: “Always ice your face before putting your makeup on. The cold will close your pores.”
By the way, I was actually surprised to see several men in that shop, buying products for their faces while pretty young women showed them how to use them.
“Beauty is as Beauty does”, my Mama always said.
Glowingly, Caroline
I love it Caroline how we are always guided and provided for. Angels all around to give us what we need. Yes you are always glowing from the inside out and I love your blouse. Aloha
Caroline: Just sent you an email. Please check.
And, an Israeli guy did the same thing with me in front of his Wailea make-up store a while back. Glad it worked out better for you than me.
mj