GAIL WHITE Wear that crown of gray with pride -- you earned it, one point at a time

I couldn't believe my eyes!
The light was shining on the back of my husband's head the other day. For the first time, I noticed gray hairs. And not just a few! The back of his head was loaded with thick gray streaks.
I didn't say anything to him. He's still reeling from the hair loss he suffered in his 20s. Now, in his late 30s, it looks as if silver is going to be the color of his 40s.
I like the look. I think it makes a person appear very wise. It's kind of sexy, really.
But when Pat realizes how gray the hair in the back of his head has become, he's not going to like it one bit. I am certain the sight will cause even more silver to appear.
As these thoughts ran through my head, I found myself wondering how he got all that gray in the first place.
A day in the life of my husband explained it all.
"Watch this," my oldest son whispered in my ear.
He walked up behind his father, gave him the old 1-2 jab to the side (2 gray hairs x 10 million jabs) and proceeded to lift Pat's wallet from his back pocket.
It was a little more than 5 minutes before Pat started frantically grabbing his behind with both hands.
Before the words of panic came from his mouth, Robert, barely able to hold back his laughter, dangled the wallet in front of his father.
"Give me that!" Pat said, unamused. (1,000 gray hairs plus a slight coronary)
Spicy coffee
"Bring me back a cup of coffee," Pat asked our 10- and 12-year olds as they were heading to the breakfast buffet bar.
I found them giggling in front of the coffee machine.
"Don't tell Dad," they said with conniving grins. "We're putting pepper in his coffee."
"I wouldn't do that," I warned them. "It is dangerous to mess with a man's morning coffee."
They did not heed my warning and returned to the table with the peppered coffee.
Luckily for Pat, he saw the mischievous look in their eyes. If there was any question in his mind that they were up to something, Andrew answered it.
"If there's anything wrong with it, just let us know," he said, giving his brother a knowing grin.
Pat got his own coffee. (2,500 gray hairs of irritation)
We were watching a movie. A disinterested 5-year-old, David, was squirming on his father's lap. Looking over, I saw the child holding Pat's head between his two hands, moving it side to side, up and down -- over and over again. Pat, who just wanted to relax and watch a show, had a look of utter resignation on his face.
"David, stop that," I said, coming to my husband's defense. (5,000 gray hairs x a gazillion bored child episodes x 4 children)
It adds up
Watching my husband's daily life, it's really no mystery where his gray hairs have come from. I haven't even considered the gray hairs that he has accumulated by simply feeding, clothing and housing our family. And, of course, I'm sure I've added a few silver strands.
Pat may look in the mirror with dismay and see the signs of an aging man.
Truly, every silver strand is a testimony of a life spent in loving, devoted service to our family.
Gray hair is not a curse. It is a crown.
gwhite@vindy.com