As the seasons change throughout the year, the seasons of our lives have a rhythm as well. We move from the Spring of youth...fast forward...the Autumn is upon us. This post is about one of the rites of passage experienced by those of us entering the Autumn season...wash it away...or let it go grey.
Please do not interpret these words as an exercise in vanity...it is truly the opposite. Sharing this story and these photos is humbling. That said, this post is not for the faint of heart...some of the pictures..well..they ain't pretty. Continue if you dare.
This is me. My name is Robyn and I have grey hair.
Several years ago I decided I was going to "let it go"! My rug hooking buddies were all older than me and encouraged me with their own "going grey" stories.
So...I began to give it serious thought. The "pros" were numerous...save time, save money, maybe my hair will feel like hair not straw, no more scalp burning from chemicals...no more roots. The cons..."I'll look old!!!".
My "Earth Brother" husband was all for it. I knew once Annie was out of school I would be staying closer to home and hair appointments go on for hours! Considering my hair grows extremely fast, it was becoming a real battle with roots...somehow grey roots look very dowdy next to brownish/blonde hair. And, I must admit, I was curious to see what I really looked like. My grandmother was prematurely grey, and was beautiful and elegant...maybe I could be grey...and not too ghoulish.
So...the decision made...I went "cold turkey"! My hair had become very light as coloring, after coloring washed out. No streaks to make it subtle...just let it grow. And grow it did. I wore a hat when possible... picking Annie up at school, grocery shopping. I'm not overboard vain, but I didn't want to scare small children!
Then...a dilemma. We had a big trip coming up to Washington, D.C.. No problem, people wear hats there...except at the Supreme Court. We were going for a swearing in ceremony for our group. No purses, no cameras...yeah...no hats.
My daughter and I proudly watched as my husband stood and took the oath before the U.S.Supreme Court to protect and defend the Constitution. All the while I was thinking the people behind me were saying to themselves, "Does this woman know her roots are honing in on three inches?". "Is that a skullcap on her head?". Seriously, by then I was over worrying about my roots and had my eye on the prize...what did I really look like.
Scary, huh? I warned you.
United States Supreme Court, Washington, D.C.
So, a few years in...I wish I had done it earlier. Much in life is based on perception...blonde hair is light...so is grey...what's the difference? Perception.
Today, I am chemical free...well, except for a Motrin now and then for my creaky knees...I have more time to hook and more money for wool....and red lipstick, a girl's gotta have some color!
Grey is not for everybody, but for me it was just one way to make my life easier...to add a few extra hours to the days of Autumn.
...pizza in Central Park, NYC
The real me...
Enjoy the day,
Robyn
