I want to look like Meryl Streep when I grow up.

I don’t mean just like her. After all I’m a black woman and I love my brown skin. I don’t want to change that. What I mean is, I want to look as good as her when I’m her age. Who doesn’t? According to the Today Show, she’s 62. Can you believe that? I can’t. I know one thing, she’s not your mother’s 60. Or, mine either. The woman looks amazing.

You know she had to have had some work done. No body ages that well without some help. And I don’t care how much money you’ve got, or how much you spend on age defying creams. It just ain’t possible.

I watched the Golden Globes Sunday night, and of course all the women looked great. But she was the one who absolutely blew my mind.

She pretty much looks just like the woman who walked out on her husband and son in "Kramer vs. Kramer," which is the first time I saw her on the big screen. That was 1979, more than 30 years ago. I was in my second year of college, and I can promise you I’m a far cry from that girl.

It’s torture watching these red carpet awards ceremonies any more.

It just makes the average woman, like me, feel woefully inadequate. The incredible designer gowns, top stylist hair and makeup. Who could match that? I’ll tell you who, no one.

Why do we watch this stuff?

I sat up all night watching. I woke up with bags under my eyes and this burning desire to run three miles. So I did. I’m thinking, maybe if I run my muscles will remember how taut they once were and revert back.

I came home looked in the mirror and saw my mom staring back at me.

I understand the smile wrinkles and the crows feet. I understand those wrinkles we get on the forehead. But someone please explain to me why you neck seems to get shorter. And where in the heck do those lines around you neck come from. Oh, and here’s the one I really don’t get; why do your shoulders start to curve forward? And, better yet, why is it that those beautiful people who walk the red carpet not seem to suffer from any of those signs of aging the rest of us fall victim to.

So, you see what I mean when I say I want to look like Meryl Streep.

I want my neck, absent of wrinkles my taut butt and the definition I used to have in my arms.

I don’t think rejuvenating creams, a couture gown and expensive makeup applied by an expert makeup artist can do all of that.

Don’t you think it is simply unfair that celebs can look like they haven’t aged a day and we are stuck wishing we looked like that?

I do.

Of course my sons tell me all the time that I look great for a woman my age. And I shouldn’t envy celebs. But I can’t help it. I know I should just accept that those folks on the red carpet are not real. They are actresses; illusions. But heck, a woman can dream can’t she? And besides, what do my sons know? They are still young and beautiful.

I want to look like Meryl Streep. I want to look like I’m 35 when I’m 60. The heck with growing old gracefully like Betty White. Although she looks pretty darn good for 90, or something like that.

Come to think about it, maybe I should be wanting to look like Betty.

No, Meryl is sexier, I think. And who says moms can't look hot? Not me.