My son’s 23rd birthday is on Friday. As a marker, he’s going to have his hair cut – from dreadlocks styled in what I call his “dog turd do” into a shaven or very short clean head. Does this mean he’s actually serious now about getting … well, serious? Is a new hair style indicative of an emotional change in the life of a young man in the same way it frequently is for a woman?
Here’s what he posted on his website, www.beextraordinary.org:
“A year ago I had a flowing, chestnut-colored mane but lack of brushing and proper use of product has taken its toll. My current style has been called a hair doll, a rat’s nest and an ‘umbilical cord to college.’ My relationship to my hair has become dysfunctional but it makes me feel safe, and I haven’t had the will to cut it even though it’s an obstacle that grows out of the back of my head. It’s hard enough being taken seriously as a 22-year-old entrepreneur; there is no reason to complicate the situation by rolling around with a half pound brillo pad pony tail. Even if that’s just an excuse, it’s one that I will continue to make as long as I have my safety hair cut.”
Does this mean my son is finally ready to take on the world … in the way he actually could do?
Guess I’ll wait … have faith … prod (just a little) … and see.
Isn’t that what we moms do from the moment we even think about having a child anyway?
Harriett@snoety.com
