In less than 10 hours, in the wee hours of the morning, I’m heading outta here and heading down south.

To this place.

Clearly, I’m totally roughing it.

As are over 400 other women who will be there with me for the Created for Care retreat.

I’m gearing up for several days of smiling until my cheeks hurt and adoption talk until my throat hurts.

That is, assuming I can make it there traveling by myself with 2 nearly 50 lb. duffle bags, my carry-on bag, and a big foam board sign.

See that? Look closely. Closer. Zoom in.

Okay, fine, so you don’t have to zoom in. Whatever.

That’s grey hair. Grey hair that is particularly perky today because the appointment I had last night to cover him up like I’ve kept every 6 weeks for the last….maybe….5 years was cancelled.

I’ve had a coming of age experience. Literally.

And, no, it wasn’t about the money (though I believe Mark is very happy to cut out “covering Kelly’s grey hair” from the budget)

I’ve been overthinking my hair for the last few weeks–why I fuss about the shade, why the grey bothers me in the first place, what I’m hoping for when I color it. And, as my appointment approached, I was forced to make a decision.

And, that I did.

No color.

I’m embracing life for what it is, grey and all. And, right now, I feel pretty good about that.

Feel free to remind me of that in a few weeks if I am going through peroxide and toner withdrawal.

I can do this. Of course, I can. Yes, I can. I can.