a summer read

I recently finished supermodel Janice Dickinson's memoir, No Lifeguard on Duty. Since I had only seen her name a couple of times in older magazines, I decided to look her up and see if I recognised her in any shoots. I came upon this stunning Elle France cover from July 1975. It struck me as a fantastic carefree summer scene, as if she had jumped off a boat and swam ashore emerging from the waves with a huge smile on her face. The further into the book I got, the more ironic this picture became; her life was anything but carefree. She chronicles her struggles with image, family, addictions and her endless search for validation.

Her story hits home on more than one note. It made me wonder how many of us, men and women alike, grapple with these issues on a daily basis and show up for life anyway with a big smile. Here's to rising above, seeing the sun, and appreciating just how sunny a June day can be.