Monday, September 22, 2008

She's Got Friends

Well, today's my birthday. Yep. Another "year older," though I think I will always feel like a pup. I guess that's what a fall birthday does to you. I started kindergarten when I was 4, and graduated from high school when I was 17. For those formative 13 years of my life, I was always "the youngest." Even now I look a lot younger than I am. Many people peg me to be in my mid-twenties when they first meet me. Maybe that's part of the reason I still assume I'm the youngest one in the crowd wherever I am.
But this summer I saw something in the mirror which indicated to me I just might be getting older after all.
I was probably putting on make-up and leaned in close to the mirror when I saw a gray hair. A gray one. On me!
At first I was a little upset. I mean, I'm too young for this, am I not? But then I looked at it again and noticed it was in a curl. Just one lone, gray hair, in a curl. And I decided it was kind of cute. In fact, I called my husband in to show him that now I was getting mature, like him. (He's been collecting gray hairs for quite a while. But his aren't curly!) And I said, "Isn't she cute?" He just looked at me with a bit of concern on his face and smiled, "Yes, dear."
And that was that. I knew I had one gray hair, and I decided I would let her stay. (Not sure about that old tale - pluck one and two will come back - and don't want to chance it!)
But very recently I did a close up in the mirror again and discovered something even more shocking. She's got friends!

Two of them!

This is making me think my friend ADHD may be on to something with her conspiracy theory. Because here I am at 37, and clearly something in the water is changing my hair from brown to gray. One piece at a time. Not to mention I have noticed over the past weeks that my eyes are taking a little longer to re-focus when I look at something far away after I've been focusing on something up close.
*sigh*
Oh, well. What is there to do? I'm getting my hair cut and highlighted this morning. Happy Birthday to me! After that I guess I'll come home and have a quiet lunch - just me and my three gray friends. Then maybe I'll send a card to my sister, just to remind her she's 40, and I'm not!

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26 comments:

happyhome said...

Happy birthday to you and your 3 friends! You know they say that gray hair is a crown of glory...I never held much stock in that one! I've been coloring my "friends" (and there are MANY!) for years. Welcome to the club!

Have a super duper day!

Teresa said...

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! You are a young chick!! 37..that is young!!
My gray hairs are so numerous that have formed a sorority! But I try to keep them under lock and color at all times:)

Praying God's sweet blessings on you this day!
Teresa

Kris said...

Happy birthday! FWIW, I've had a whole peer group for my cute little gray curls since I was 27. I think you're right, there is a conspiracy!

Stacey said...

Happy birthday Karen! Hope you have a great one! And don't worry about the gray hairs...it will only make more :) I'm 31, and I started seeing "the lone ones" about a year ago. That should make you feel better. It makes me feel much worse, but hopefully it makes you feel better! LOL! I haven't started covering them up yet, but probably soon. Enjoy your day! By the way, I LOVE your hubby's response! He knew just what to say....just nod and agree :)

km said...

Happy Birthday! Something I read from Elizabeth Elliott once...you're just 37 years closer to heaven and celebrating in His presence. Have a blessed day.

Kelly said...

Happy Birthday! My water is starting to cause my hair to "fade to grey" as well. I got mine cut and highlighted on Friday.

Welcome to the Crowd!!!!!

Ronel said...

Happy Birthday!!

Don't feel bad I have a few and I am only 29... I do color mine bc I don;t want them here...lol!!

I hope you have an amazing day..today my hubby turned 30!!

Anonymous said...

Well, if I say Happy Birthday is that cliche? Who cares! I PRAY you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Many blessings this lovely and peaceful fall day. The Lord delights in you this day! And everyday!

Many blessings-
Amanda

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Girl! My grays are starting in my eyebrows, how weird is that?

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday, Karen. I apologize - I dropped the ball and neglected to send out a card. You are in our thoughts and prayers today. Your neices love you, as do Jeff and I.
Nikki

concerned parent said...

Happy Birthday Karen
As for those friends girl I have as much gray as well what ever color my hair is at the time I am only 37 also. Highlights are good! Have a nice lunch and day today.

Laura said...

Happy Birthday to you!

luvmy4sons said...

Yes, Happy Birthday to you! As one that is 45...I would have to say grey hairs don't bother me so much (maybe because I don't have too many) as the bags under the eyes that suddenly appear somewhere between 35 and forty! LOL!

3 boys club said...

Happy Birthday to you. My 33rd was on Saturday and I've had many gray hairs show up to my party. You have the better idea of getting them cut and colored. I just live with my frazzled self and look in the mirror less often.
Blessing to you with an new look and a leaner body from working so hard for it!!!!
Erin

Melissa said...

That's what I should've asked for from my husband - highlights to cover my gray hair!

Happy birthday, again!

Edie said...

Happy Birthday to you,
you have a gray hair or two,
just wash it out with color,
and some highlighting too!

Hope you had a GREAT day! :)

Mamajil said...

Happy birthday!!

Jackie said...

Well, Happy Birthday!

I am only 31 and I've had plenty of little friends crop up in my hair already. Like you, at first I though it was kind of cute and sort of surreal, because, gray hair? That is something my MOTHER has. Then I got more and more...and it's not quite so cute anymore. :)

Hope you had a fabulous day!

Leah Adams said...

Hope you had a great birthday!!! You are still just a young chick!!

Leah

Anonymous said...

At least she's not lonely :)
Hope your birthday was GREAT!

Colored With Memories said...

Happy belated b'day! Hope your highlight went well...and those 3 got hit hard by the color brush!

Jessica Nelson said...

Hey, if you're 37 and these are your firsts, well, that's pretty cool.
I don't have any yet (I'm 25) but my husband got one and I laughed at him. Not sure how I'll feel when I find my first one.
Hehe
Happy birthday and thanks for stopping by the old blogger! I tagged you on a previous post, if you want to play :-)
Seven things others may not know about you.

Steph said...

Happy Birthday!!!

Mine was the 20th...I hit the big 3-0, and it hit harder than any other birthday. I survived though! I should be good!

RE: your comment...Sometimes I think the chaos and noise it what helps me make the best decision FAST! No time to mull it over...I know what to do and I do it! (Most of the time)

Unknown said...

I posted a Happy Birthday on Facebook, but forgot to visit here (must be an age thing!)

But how can we be old - we are on Facebook!!!

Stonefox said...

Happy Birthday! If 37 is old, I think most of your friends out here in blog land are in trouble!

Julie said...

I too went to kindergarten when I was 4, entered 1st grade at 5, graduated at 17.... and in 30 days I will turn 51. So, gray hairs...yea, there all over my head.

When I turned 50 I decided to let the hair color wash out. I decided to sport my "crown of splendor"....

You would be surprised at how many people tell me how beautiful my peppered hair is.... I guess it really is a crown of splendor....

Thanks for visiting today!
Julie