50 Strands of Silver

I have fallen deeper in love with my wife and she may get mad at me for telling you. 🙂

Some time ago, I snuck up behind her in the kitchen and wrapped my arms around her waist (that is one of her favorite things, BTW). I braved the feigned scorn of my oldest son who told us to “get a room” and valiantly fought off the dog who for some reason, feels like she should be able to get between us anytime we embrace. My wife and I stood there for a minute, talking about this or that as she stirred something on the stove and it was then, my 6’2” vantage-point showed me something I hadn’t noticed before. My eyes were drawn to several strands of beautiful, almost shimmering silver hair which lay in stark contrast to the others on top of her head.

Honestly, I’d not considered silver hair as a possibility for her because:

1)The husband is the only one who gets older in a marriage, right?

2)I was taught women don’t typically progress beyond the mystical age of “29”

3)In the past, she has used highlights or hair coloring in the name of keeping her appearance fresh or to change it up a bit.

But, in that simple kitchen encounter, I was inspired to piece together what has really been going on.

My beloved has, in fact, been transforming before my eyes these past years and I haven’t been paying attention. How has she changed? God has fueled a compassion for others in her that has intensified over the years. God has imbued her with increasing wisdom and a deepening perspective about life in service and discipleship to those around her. God has increased and multiplied her talents as circumstances have required or demanded them.

I see those things and more in her and they are what I believe to be beauty at its finest. Sadly though, this process in her has often gone unnoticed in the wake of all the chaos a family of 6 creates. It took me discovering those strands of silver hair to gain a greater appreciation for the wondrous woman I’ve been blessed to call my wife of almost 20 years. The silver I found in her hair is not to be hidden, but is to be celebrated! <3

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