Going Gray

About a year ago, my mom started considering letting her hair go gray.  She even selected the book, “Going Gray” by Anne Kreamer, for her book club meeting.  The ladies showed up and seemed to have an interesting discussion about vanity and aging.  My mom announced to them that she was going to try it.  She planned to start by lightening her hair a few shades and then cutting it short once the roots grew in.

To be completely honest, I thought it was a horrible idea.  She looks young and has plenty of energy so why would she give up this fight?  Mainly, I also couldn’t imagine red hair sprinkled with gray.  I just thought it would kind of clash or something.  She argued that she just wanted to try it and if she discovered that she didn’t like it, she would start dying her hair again.  In our family, we give our opinions but do not get emotionally invested in the outcome and certainly never expect each other to take it.

My mom did exactly what she planned to do and guess what… it turned out just fine.  In fact, I actually think her natural red goes very well with the new blondish-gray hair.  Plus, she has quite a bit more red than I expected for someone approaching 60 years old.

A few months ago, I was surprised to find out that my aunt (dad’s sister) had also taken up the same quest. Today, she was featured in the Salt Lake Tribune: Silver Sisters Lead the Way in Gray Roots Movement.

She is the one in the middle named Barb Shelley.

The interesting thing is that I am actually glad they did this little experiment. They have paved the way for me. I have never dyed my hair, although I did lighten it once or twice in college.  I have always planned to cover up gray hair once they start taking over, but I never ever considered the alternative. At this point, I still only have one that I find once or twice a year. I mentioned it before here: Gray Hair

I saw my little gray hair the other day and promptly plucked it out.  One day though, when it comes with lots of friends, I will probably just leave it and not worry about dying it.  I'll just be happy that I can spend money and time on other things.