Earth Mother

A couple of months ago, I read this article in the New York Times about the pervasive cultural pressure placed upon aging women to cut and/or dye their hair. (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/fashion/24Mirror.html) Apparently, Garnier, Herbal Essences, and salons nationwide have a vested interest in keeping their clients buying various dyes and coming in bi-weekly for blowouts and fancy coiffing. And while the article is good and well-written, the really astounding feature are the more than 1200 comments left by readers, women possessing a variety of opinions and hairstyles. These women have appropriate mom dos complete with elegant swooshes, they have short pixie cuts, they have endless plaits that run down their back like water. They all have beautiful hair.

So, empowered and liberated by these personal testimonies, I made a little promise to myself. If and when my hair grays, I want to try to stave off the internal desire to preserve youth endlessly and just let it go. I want to let my hair grow out and just rock some long, crazy, gray hair. I’ll probably wear knit sweaters and tortoise shell classes and chacos. Just call me Earth Mother.

Then, while having coffee at Fido with my friend Meghan, I saw her. The real Earth Mother, and my new beauty icon. As this gorgeous, ethereal woman floated out of the snow and into the hustle of the coffee shop, we were entranced. She had longish gray locks softly curling at the ends, a poncho of sorts, a kind smile, and, just, wisdom. I can only hope that the experiences of my life, the trials and joys, will manifest in that sort of wisdom, rooted in a deep knowledge of the Lord’s goodness and provision over years and years. And wonderfully long, gray hair of course.