A lifetime ago just yesterday, I got a haircut. It changed my outlook on life. Odd that something so simple and routine could do such a thing, but this was no ordinary trim. For you see, this time in the barber chair was another person sitting with me.
The Occupant made no apology for his sudden appearance. After all, he had predicted it long ago.
The reflection in the mirror was of an elderly man. Snips of ever thinning gray hair fell around his shoulders as the young stylist behind him cut. She hummed a familiar tune from a long, long time ago on a street not so far away. Then an odd thing happened. The laugh lines at the corner of the man’s eyes pinched together. He smiled back at me saying, “Remember the last time you heard that tune hummed in a barbershop and what you thought? Who’s the old man now?”
Gazing upon the reflection in the mirror during the haircut gave me a moment to reflect on life. It’s an exercise I do in times of great stress, something Life seems to bestow upon you when you least expect it.
While growing up on Flamingo Street, Dad took us to the barbershop every other month. He stood behind the barber watching in the mirror humming a familiar tune and I complained about the loss of my hair.
During one visit, Dad finally said, “One day you’ll be the old guy in the mirror. Son, you really have nothing to complain about. Besides, you have lots of hair.”
Being all of 9 years old at the time, I knew my Dad was wrong. I had tons of stress in my life and was never going to be as old as he was. Upon reflection, seems I was wrong on both accounts.
A lifetime ago just yesterday I met a nice lady over a romantic dinner in a dimly lit restaurant. She changed my life forever, relieving all my stress with her infectious laughter. Never has a man deserved so little, but yet has received so much. Working two lifetimes couldn’t repay what she has given of herself. If asked, she would say she’s done nothing special. Just loved the man she fell in love with.
So when she asked if I would get a haircut, I happily obliged.
Handing the stylist a $20 for the $15 charge, I heard The Wife’s voice as I often do. I seem to carry the sound with me wherever I go. Wrapping around me like a warm blanket on a cold winter’s night, it provides never-ending comfort and firmly protects me against the turbulent winds of life. Those winds are hurricane force, blowing harder right now than ever before.
I told the stylist to keep the change. It was the largest tip she had received all day.
Returning home I was met at the door by two happy faces, Little One and Sweet Caroline. Our two granddaughters asked if their Papa had time to go outside and play. We spent the rest of the afternoon in the sandbox building castles, digging moats, and watching helplessly as stampeding dinosaurs destroyed everything.
A glass of tea and two diaper changes later, the sun dipped down behind trees, unleashing a horde of mosquitoes. Even the dinosaurs were no match for their relentless bombardment. We left them to fend off the winged attackers as we made our retreat to a warm bubble bath.
Accompanying the girls under the bubbles were various characters from popular children shows that have become a staple in our household: Blaze, Dory, and all the Paw Patrol. After bath time, there was a short chasing around rooms trying to catch them to get them dressed for bed. While dressing Little One, she rubbed my hair, giving her silent approval.
Then she noticed the expression on my face. She asked why I was sad. I told her sometimes grownups get sad. My response was met with a hug and kiss. “It’s okay, Papa. You can’t be sad. I just gave you a kiss.”
She ventured off to play with her little sister unaware. Only 3 years old, she hadn’t a clue as to what had just happened. My perspective on life changed at that moment.
While they were brushing their teeth just before bed, I watched from behind as they wiggled on footstools and noticed their reflections in the bathroom mirror. A smile slowly crept cross my face.
The old man from the barbershop faded away and had been replaced by a much younger man. All my stress and worries fell away like my gray hair falling to the floor. I watched two wiggling angels laughing while balancing on the stools vainly attempting to brush. They reminded me of what life is all about, something easily forgotten in troubled times.
Bedtime stories were read, lights were turned out, one final kiss was given and rub of my new haircut was completed before covers were drawn up tight around them and their favorite dolls. An hour later The Wife made it home.
Due to a late night meeting, she had missed bedtime. She sat down and asked how putting the girls to bed by myself had gone. She looked tired and stressed.
I replied, “Fine, they went right to sleep.” She noticed I was in a good mood and asked why. “Just before bed, Little One said something that really helped me out.”
“What did she say?”
I walked over, gave her a hug and kiss and said, “You can’t be sad. I just gave you a kiss.”
[Rick Ryckeley has been writing stories since 2001. To read more of Rick’s stories, visit his blog: storiesbyrick.wordpress.com.]
