Apparently today is ‘redhead day’. My husband and I laughed about this at lunch overlooking the Omena Bay (one of our adamant stops in Northern Michigan). Many things common to redheads is a high pain tolerance (imagine that) and resistance to anestegia…which explains why my anestegiologist, my beloved Al who totally gets me, at the pain clinic says he “wants to run” when he sees me coming. Teehee!
Yet other things popular about redheads I don’t share. They often have less hair follicles leaving them with thinner hair…mine is thicker than theives…many are left-handed (I’m a right-y) and often are more likely to attract bees…I’ve only been stung twice-?
What I see is a comradery with my fellow gingers…and a uniqueness all my own. I have fair skin and freckles…but after an unfortunate burn my skin turns golden. I am often tempted to have my DNA tested. My husband directly challenged this today. He loves me completely for me…no questions asked. But as a history lover…if I know where I’ve been and what I’m a part of…doesn’t that give me more understanding, insight and compassion? Maybe-?
I wrestle with the not knowing half of me…as in the nature. But I see the grace in the nurture in my life. My adopted dad and his family have contributed SO much to who I am…their influence is nothing short of a blessed gift I could never have asked or imagined. And I’ve felt so incredibly loved by them, even more so perhaps than by birthright or bloodline. I’m not one of them…they don’t have to love me, but they choose to anyway…just for me. Then there is my blood…what is in me…stubborn, redheaded love that when you experience it, it changes your heart forever for the better and manifests compassion and gratitude. My blood relatives…they “get me”…and I them…sometimes with nothing more than a look…no explanation needed.
The reality is both sides…the nature and the nurture…make me a hybrid, but one of God’s infinite grace. I wouldn’t be me…a stubborn redheaded, sensitive soul without either of them. Today I thank God for who I am and His amazing grace in my life, and I am at peace with that…no explanation needed.
Wonders of HIS Love 