My Ultimate Foundation — It’s Not What You Think

I’m an expert on foundation. I think my first real exposure to foundation was in the 1970’s with the advent of Fashion Fair Cosmetics.  I felt quite the exclusive girl, having a foundation that matched MY skin.  And that little pink rectangular compact I can never forget.  Since that time I have used a plethora of foundations — matte, illuminating, powder, hydrating, anti-aging, mineral, organic, cream-to-powder, tube, liquid, cream, mousse and so on — you get my drift.  And the problem with those foundations is that they are transient, they change.  Or I change, grow, have different skin, concerns.

However, I have a foundation that has not changed, that has not left me, nor I it.  This foundation is multi-faceted — spirituality, family and friends.

1.  Spirituality. My relationship with my God and Father has remained constant, unwavering and real. If there has been any slipping, it’s been on my end.  He is always there.  He is a prayer away.  He always listens and has an answer that works.  His line is never busy and he doesn’t put me on hold. His Word has guided me through my darkest hours.  There is an answer in the Bible for every single situation that faces me in life.  Now, there isn’t a scripture that matches every single incident in life — but there are principles that guide me as to my behavior.  Number one being to love God with my whole heart, my whole soul and mind.  And the second is to love my neighbor as myself.  That principle in and of itself would end all the chaos in earth if it was applied by everyone.  Or the Golden Rule — To treat others the way I want to be treated.  Not the twisted version — Do unto others before they do unto you…

2.  Family. I never really thought I would be a mom.  I had plans of being a journalist and traveling the world.  So now I’m a journalist and writing about beauty.  And that’s just fine by me.  I have three daughters who have given me the strength to find purpose in living, to become a better person and to set an example of what a woman is.  I feel quite alone sometimes, my mother is deceased, my father has Alzheimer’s disease and doesn’t even recognize me and I am a single parent.  But those girls. They keep me right on the track.  And of course there is my 97 year old Granny.  She is the ultimate matriarch, and has been a prime example of womanhood to me.

3.  Friends. I didn’t bond with my BFF Nettie until about 18 years ago when I had my middle daughter.  I don’t know, we just had this thing that happened.  We clicked.  She’s a tad bit crazy and I’m certifiable. We don’t talk everyday, or every week for that matter. But I know she is there when I need her. And I am always there for her. She has given me some of the best advice ever.  Like, “Tracey, it’s okay to say no.”  She gave me the courage to stand on my own when my marriage was crumbling and even my own mother sided with the enemy my ex-husband.  She devised an “underground railroad” plan when she thought I needed to escape that relationship.  She is the crazy aunt all children should have and gives my girls  great advice — “Keep that quarter between your legs.”  She is able to play devil’s advocate without hurting my feelings. I love her to death.

Without this foundation, I would be a sad, lost woman.