Strange things have been happening lately and it has me taking a good look at myself.
Babies of the complete stranger kind have been leaving their mothers to come to me.
Just yesterday a small boy of about seven with his mother in a shop looked up at me and wanted to tell me all about his teeth and then he fell silent and laid his head on my belly and gave me the most beautiful quiet embrace. It shocked his mother and left me feeling a bit bewildered....
but then I smiled as it dawned on me how children must see me.
I'm sure I remind them of "grandparents".
In my mind's eye, I still have rich cascading chestnut hair, but children see me as I am all snowy white.
For children, white represents "grandparent" and the natural association most of the time is a good one.
I've spoken about age before and now I am realising a new boon about aging, some parts of it are wonderful. I regret that my eyesight is failing and some sewing tasks must simply wait till daytime now; I feel my joints stiffen,
but I do not regret my natural hair,
not grey but rather stardust....
(For those of you who don't know what I look like I have just been into the bathroom and taken the obligatory selfie for you; a la naturale, sweat top and no make-up.)
You look naturally beautiful ...
ReplyDeleteMy hair is white, and I get this reaction from some children, too. I find it very endearing.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo!
I think you look beautiful Tanya...I am going grey too and won't be coloring my grey, most of the older women I admire and look up to are naturally beautiful, a smile and a kind face are the greatest beauty of all I think xx love Sophie x
ReplyDeleteYou have the loveliest hair Tanya, and the kindest smile - no wonder children are drawn to you! If my hair was turning 'stardust' instead of grey, I wouldn't have had to turn so unnaturally blonde over the last couple of years!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, you must be young at heart, taking 'selfies' in the bathroom mirror like my 13yo!
Actually I did go "blonde" for a few years, I found it was easier to naturally blend the stardust and then fully letting it go was easier too than having a dark dye demarcation line. You are all so kind. I was particularly pleased to hear that Nancy has the same reaction too.
DeletePS Hope you all enjoyed the classic 70's Carpenters clip.
Cheers, T
love your hair tanya..i thought you were a natural blonde..i think undyed hair looks so much better on older women..it looks softer and and suits our complexion more..
ReplyDeleteYou have beaUtiful stardust :) and a warm smile. I went cold turkey at age 50 and have stardust bangs with silver tresses. Loved the song!
ReplyDeleteYour white hair frames those bright eyes and lovely smile well. You look like a happy soul and I'm sure children are drawn to that too!
ReplyDeleteLove your hair, it's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYou have the most gorgeous hair! I have been lucky to only now start having streaks of grey at 58, so never really had to worry about dying my hair.
ReplyDeleteI have a similar reaction from children but i think its because they see me as jolly. Im like the Pied Piper or a clown. I always look children in the eye with a smile and speak directly to them, not over them and it seems to work.
ReplyDeleteMy hair is sneaking in more and more grey in and I'm 35. I'd like to go silver like you, but I'd prefer it to happen a little later ;) I guess nature has her own ideas.
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful photo of you Tanya. As a teacher, children would occasionally call me mum, but in the last 5 or so years of my career. I noticed that sometimes I would be called 'grandma' and the poor darlings would get so upset...but it didn't phase me :-)I guess that was how they saw me.
ReplyDeleteYou are their Fairy Godmother, Tanya! They are responding to innate Goodness.
ReplyDeleteYou are all soooo gorgeous, especially YOU Susie McMahon x
DeleteI have loved hearing similar stories from some of you too. Doesn't it just make you feel so warm and fuzzy that these little people love so warmly and openly.
That's what it is!!! I am 47 and have almost white hair with a hint of the former blonde and yes, children do seem to relate to me better than before. Just yesterday, a beautiful little Indian girl with her Daddy waved at me in the supermarket when I passed and thereafter, every time we met gave me such a smile.
ReplyDeleteA lovely post.
ReplyDeleteI have white hair too.
That is the most precious story - how adorable! I joke that i will be grey/white before my Mum who dyes hers. I see it as an honour to grow old and intend to fully embrace it as my time comes. Love your stardust hair Tanya :)
ReplyDeleteStardust.....love it. My hairdresser used to refer to my greys as tinsel, which I thought was quite a nice description.
ReplyDeleteLovely story about the little boy Tanya, so sweet. Your hair is gorgeous, can't get over how much it's grown since my visit......beautiful pic....X
I do so hope my hair goes white as I get older. Four children should help things along me thinks ;)
ReplyDeleteLove love love your hair.