Okay, I’ve been a little sensitive lately about turning 35. But I feel like I’ve been dealing with it rather gracefully. Until now. I may not be able to stay out late and party with the rest of Paris, but I’m holding my own. My face, thankfully, doesn’t betray my age yet. I’ve even managed to elude several wrinkles. But as I was looking in the mirror trying to freshen up after the nine hour flight, it was there staring defiantly back at me. My first gray hair.

It stands out in stark contrast to my naturally dark brown locks, right on top of my head for the whole world to see. I panic. What if there are others? What if they decide to multiply? How can this happen – I’ve been coloring my hair for 15 years now. I glance angrily back at the mirror as the flight attendant’s disembodied voice reminds me to return to my seat. But I can’t go without a fight. It’s me versus my gray hair and I’m not leaving until it’s been safely plucked and disposed of.

For a solid three minutes, I chase it with my clumsy fingers. My brain cells must have given it advanced warning because no matter how I try, it eludes my grasp. Several normal, perfectly healthy hairs suffer the consequences of my frantic search and end up on the bathroom floor. I’m finally able to isolate the culprit in a small clump and am just about ready to pull the whole thing out when it decided to surrender. I pinch it between my two fingers and pull hard. Surprisingly it doesn’t resist. I hold it up close for examination. Perhaps it’s just a rare albino hair since instead of being gray, it’s quite white. But I know there will be more. It’s just a matter of time.

The flight attendant gently knocks on the bathroom door asking if everything is okay. I boldly inform her that my crisis is over and can comfortably take my seat. I realize it’s a loosing battle, and no matter how hard I try, I won’t be able to pluck all the new gray hairs that are coming my way. But as I lean back in my seat, I smile. I have Cassiano, an Italian hair god who will come to my rescue. I’ll be making an appointment with his just as soon as I get off the plane.

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