One influential factor was the book Going Gray by Anne Kreamer. In it she documents her transformation from treated hair to all-natural. I was inspired by her story but resisted the idea. I told myself I couldn't do it, at least not at that point. Besides, my poor first grader couldn't be the only child in his class with a gray-haired mother.
By my 51st birthday our world was turned upside down. It was the year of our major exposure and most of that year was spent in doctors' offices, emergency rooms, and hospitals. My interest in maintaining my coloring habit waned.
I talked with my hair stylist about changing my color gradually. We agreed to do some lighter highlights to make the transition.
Two months after this decision we vacated our house. My world collapsed. My children were sick. I could find no medical help and I began to realize that I, too, was ill. I stopped seeing my stylist and let my hair go.
We moved to Arizona that winter, and after three months of house- and hotel-hopping we settled in a tiny three-bedroom house. Brushing my hair became a luxury; highlighting was out of the question. As reality set in and I understood that we were just beginning a very long recovery process, I cut my hair as short as possible. All the highlights were finally gone and only natural hair color remained.
I didn't like the new look, mostly because of the shortness of the cut. But the gray wasn't as unsettling as I thought it would be. My family was supportive.
I did love the new feeling of freedom. No more counting the days till the roots appeared again!
I bought a box of Henna, a natural, chemical-free hair color alternative, but decided to keep my new "carefree" life.
It's been two and half years since I took the plunge. Time enough to reflect on my goals.
Looking younger than my age is no longer one of them.
Not that I'm totally comfortable with the aging process. Nor have I conquered all of my appearance issues. But I am learning, ever so slowly and painfully, what really counts in life.
And it's not keeping my hair dark.
It's not possessions, either. Or wealth.
I like the perspective the book of Proverbs offers,
"Gray-headedness is a crown of beauty when it is found in the way of righteousness." (Proverbs 16:31)
Before After
8 comments:
Oh Andrea, you are a beautiful woman! And honestly, I think you look better in the "after" picture :)
I love you new hair style and color! A woman of wisdom! lots of love!
I love this crown of gray! Think it looks much more beautifuler than any out-of-the-box color.
Way to be, mom!
-Megan
I like the gray...much better than color. You're beautiful as is.
Hi Andrea,
I loved reading this post about your transition to gray-headedness...you have a mighty large sisterhood of
us right along with you, letting our hair go natural, and loving it!! We are who we are, and we are magnificent
daughters of God, aren't we? Yes!!!
There are some areas of aging that I struggle with, I have to admit....but when I consider the alternative, putting
it all into perspective, it isn't so bad. :)
One day at a time,
Thanks!
Ruth
Gray is great!
Not worrying about our appearance - putting on makeup, etc. can be very freeing, I think.
And most of all, when you cut it, you also cut off some hidden mold spores in the hair!
I notice hair tangles more easily in a home with a lot of mold spores. Also, my daughter seemed to improve when we cut her hair to a bob. Previously, even after moving out of our moldy environment, the ends were always slimy in the shower, no matter how much I rinsed out the shampoo.
Andrea, I like your hair best of all in the picture of you as "Top Health Blogger". I think it's very pretty color, and I think you will enjoy it as it grows too.
I was always looking forward to having long luxurious gray hair to braid. But now my hair is short, and I'm kind of used to that now.
you look beautiful!
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