The Old Gray Mare

It’s no mystery to me why I was resistant to having gray hair. In my childhood, I heard my mother frequently quote the old folk song, “Oh, the old gray mare she ain’t what she used to be, she ain’t what she used to be…”  She used the words to refer to a horse or a woman who was past her prime. It was also a way of describing herself as too tired to perform an unpleasant household task that she assigned to me.

I never knew what was beneath the light brown that colored my hair until I was forced by a scalp condition to give up my monthly fix. With fear and trembling I watched my hair change from ash brown to mousy gray, until a glorious mop of white hair emerged and changed my whole outlook on life. Strangers stopped me on the street to comment on my beautiful hair, friends said I looked younger. Just maybe “the old gray mare” was better than she used to be. 

It is sometimes hard for senior adults to embrace change, but it is usually the best thing that can happen to us. We never know what exciting opportunities are just around the corner. Proverbs 16:31 tells us “The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness.” (NKJV) We can’t turn back the hands of time, so we should embrace all that God has in store for us. We might be in for a pleasant surprise. If you are curious, click on the Meet the Bloomers link at the top of this blog to see Charles with his “new gray mare.”

Around To It vs. Just Do It

In 1964, the “Round Tuit” disk was introduced at the New York World’s Fair. In 1988, NIKE added the phrase “Just Do It” to its trademark swoosh to promote its athletic gear.

I am finally ready to quit going around in circles. Today I am putting on my running shoes and taking a giant step toward publishing my memoir. Writing the story of my life took over five years of off and on again effort. At first my “Round Tuit” mentality was definitely in charge, as I let the demands of life interfere with my desire to write. Then I started writing stories and anecdotes from childhood and storing them in my computer. Two years ago, I began compiling those bits and pieces and filling in the blanks. At first my memoir was to be a gift to my children and grandchildren telling the story of God’s grace in allowing me to survive and thrive in the midst of life’s difficulties. After a thorough critique and edit of my manuscript by a fellow writer, I realized that my story has wider appeal. My book languished on a shelf while my insecurities grew. I was back in “Round Tuit” mode. Since it is very difficult for a first time author to find a traditional publisher I was stuck, until I realized that to reach my goal, I will have to self-publish. After talking with several on-demand book publishers, I decided to “Just Do It.”  Inspiring Voices, a division of Guidepost magazine, is now working with me to publish both a paperback and e-book.

See future blog posts about my publishing journey and my story:

Born Three Times

It Took a Lifeline and a Lifetime to Find a New Life, New Liver, and New Love