prematurely gray

this afternoon, on the way home from work, i found myself walking behind a prematurely graying man. i had seen his gray hairs from across the street and imagined him to be about 35-40 years of age. but as he crossed the road and fell into step right in front of me, it became clear that he could be no more than 30 and no less than 25. i decided his name was mac. mac, the 28-year-old, prematurely-graying academic-for-life (he was wearing a collegiate tee and running shorts at 5 p.m. so unless he dresses at the speed of light, he doesn't hold a normal 9-5 day job).

mac's hair got me thinking. i like prematurely graying people.

when my sister sarah was planning her wedding two years ago, the process - which, as far as i could tell, never choked her spirits or drove her to wedding lunacy - may be the reason sections of her hair gradually grew silver. on her wedding day, i was surprised at how many grays graced her locks over such a short period of time (please don't kill me for writing this, sarah. it really is a compliment). i admit, i was a little jealous.

i've maybe - MAYBE - once found a gray hair on my head. i plucked it out so i could belong to the club of "every time i pluck out a gray hair, another grows in its place: argh." unfortunately, i haven't seen another gray in years. this is disappointing.

i remember, too, when my mother went gray. my mom has the most beautiful hair in the whole world. it is deep dark jet black, and only recently was she naturally lucky enough to sport beautiful silver strands in her 'do. it's so beautiful. my dad's full head of gray is quite handsome, too. refined, if you will. like a ralph lauren ad where everyone's playing cricket in sports jackets in new england.

gray hair says so much. it's a shame that it seems more beneficial for men, while women are told how to dye their hair or what to cut out of their diets to counteract the onsetting grays (fyi: excessive intake of tea, coffee, alcohol, meat, and fried, oily, greasy, spicy, sour, and acidic foods can reduce the moisture and nutrients reaching the hair follicles and may lead to premature graying). there's even an entire diet plan written out to disrupt the onset of gray.

but why? gray hair is much too beautiful. so while i pray for some wintry gray/white/silver strands to grace my head, those of you who've already got it should celebrate. after all ...

"Gray hair is a crown of splendor;
it is attained by a righteous life."

lucky, lucky you.