At 34, gray hairs started appearing, and by 38, they were more noticeable. I never dyed my hair because I didn’t mind it much, until one day at work when Jamal joked about me being “Granny” because of my grays, and Tyrese started calling me “Ma’am.” It stung, making me self-conscious about my age.
Later, a mysterious box appeared on my desk with a crocheted beanie and a note: “Wear your crown with pride.” I tried it on, felt better, and wore it to work the next day. Jamal apologized for his comment, and Tyrese did the same.
I never found out who left the beanie, but it gave me a boost of confidence. Over time, I embraced my gray hair and noticed others in the office doing the same. One day, I received an anonymous email saying, “Heard you got a new hat, looks good on you.” It felt like support, and I realized I’d grown stronger in dealing with my insecurities.
