15 April 2008

On Losing My Hair

It happens to a large part of the male population. It is something that some men scoff at, “it’s no big deal.” Others fret, worry, and obsess with their larger forehead.

I got my haircut this morning at Fantastic Sam’s. I always go to Fantastic Sam’s. Mainly because the ladies who work there are from Eastern Europe and, in my next life, I plan on being a spy planted in Kazakhstan.

Today, while getting my hairs cut sitting in the “big chair,” I realized, “Wow, I’m really losing my hair.” No before you guys with full mops start to feel good about yourself, losing one’s hair does not mean your manliness is dissipating. I’m in better shape now than I was at 25. So, back off.

I think that losing one’s hair is important for a few reasons. First, it humbles me a great deal. I am no longer, despite the mental games I play, the 21 year old who could eat four full meals plus two bowls of ice cream, all while staying right at 195 lbs. I actually need seven or eight ours of sleep, not the four or five that got me through college.

Second, it reminds me that there’s a brighter day on its way. A day when God is going to renew our bodies, and our earth. I don’t subscribe to the pop-theology that believes God is going to burn up the earth and give us harps and a cloud for eternity. Frankly, that sounds closer to hell than heaven. I think God is going to redeem his own world. And, in that world, I hope I have Fabio-like hair. Or, I’d settle for hair like Magglio Ordonez.

Now, when I look in the mirror, I don’t worry too much. I remind myself that from dust I came and to dust I shall return.

27 comments:

Navalpride said...

Don't you think Maggilo's hair would be overkill?????

Just my thoughts and yes, I have a full mop....

Kara Graves said...

I love you just the way you are.

Josh Ross said...

What Kara meant to say was, "I love you just the way you are...but don't look in the mirror?" :)

I think you should go with the bic. Shave that thang!

Anonymous said...

Just so you feel better about spending your money with Fantastic Sam's . . . Sam Ross, their founder, has gone with the bald look for at least 30 years now. I second good looking Josh's sentiments and vote you go with the Andy H. look. ;-)

Anonymous said...

Scholar = No hair. Josh no worries. Here is my view and some day I will get some research to back this up. I see this with many a religious scholar and minister, is it the sizzling hot MickyD's heat lamps you stand under each Sunday? probably not. It seems some of the great scholars just need to make more brain room by pushing the roots of their hair completely out of their head. So you have two choices stop reading or keep learning. I say bic and read. =)

Ash, Kel n Ella said...

I asked my folliclely challenged brother (the aformentioned Andy H) when he started losing his hair. He informed me in his 23rd year. So on the morning of my 24th birthday I did one last check of the hair line, did a happy dance and haven't looked back.

Yes, I will reach my thirties before you as previously discussed. But I'll always have more hair!!!

Ash

Sean Stockman said...

I am thankful to still have all my hair, even after 2 kids!

I love that image of heaven, God redeeming the earth! I really would not like harp playing our cloud jumping. In heaven, I'm driving my Ford Shelby Mustang, blue with white racing stripes!!!

Josh Graves said...

Who knew hair loss was such a common human struggle?

Navalpride: Know. I love Magglio's hair. Not as much as my wife.

Kara: Thanks, love.

Boss: Touche. That's funny.

Russel: Thanks for the historical perspective.

Elliot. Bless you. That's the single best explanation that I've heard in some time.

Ash and Sean: I'm glad I have two friends who will walk with me as they gain weight and I lose hair.

Josh Graves said...

I love the fact that no one responded to this line, "I plan on being a spy planted in Kazakhstan."

Anonymous said...

Hair don't grow where the brain is dead...

Anonymous said...

Dang it! I was gonna be really witty and post

He give and he takes away and sign it Anonymous but stupid anonymous already made a stupid post.

Seriously Josh, You should disallow Anonymous posts because whoever it is, is an idiot...and a coward.

On the hair issue, shave it and take the Fantastic Sam's money and invest it...

Anonymous said...

With Kyle's advice, I have to assume he is bald as well! Kyle-don't store up treasuers...

Anonymous said...

I think you were losing your hair when I moved to MI in 2002. You're just now noticing it.

Anonymous said...

Bet you wish you could transfer some of that arm pit hair that gorws wild on you to your head!!!!

Anonymous said...

Less hair = less wind resistance for the Marathon Man!

Anonymous said...

hilariously enough, last week when I was on praise team, I was watching you preach, and I thought to myself, "Josh is balding." I then tried to picture you completely bald.

.... I think you would look like Howie Mandel.

I conferred with a few other members of the praise team... Kim Morgan agrees with me.

Courtney Strahan said...

Josh, I am your comment about the spy in Kazakhstan.... Why there? I think there would be more action in Russia. Hmm... I could see it if when you retired you wrote about your experiences. That would be a classic Josh move.

I say bic it and see the reaction. I don't know if E.Po. is right about the Howie Mandel thing, though... You would also have to start wearing a gold hoop in your ear.

Make a note of this... I didn't even notice you were balding until Sara Barton pointed it out one day....

Anonymous said...

Josh wouldn't look like Howie Mandel, but Brian Bowers does.

Anonymous said...

2 Kings 2:22-24

-signed
Bald is Beautiful

Anonymous said...

Oops, I didn't mean to post the one about Brian Bowers under anonymous. It was me, but the other anonymous ones are not me.
Sara

Anonymous said...

Don't store up Treasures?

Could be the dumbest misquote I have heard in a long time

Actually since "HE Give and Takes away"

Anonymous said...

Kyle-I think you're confusing me for another anonymous...I did not write anything about give and take away...I think it's cool if you're bald!

preacherman said...

Great post Josh.
I am loosing mine on the top a little and my wife told me to own it when it gets to the point. Be proud of it! :-)

Josh Ross said...

Who would think that a blog about hair loss would get over 20 hits

Kara Graves said...

yea, really. And I am wondering why so many people are pointing it out to others and have had conversations about this.

Let the wife say again, I love you just the way you are, and I certainly never have or never will dwell on the hair.

Josh Graves said...

The point of being self-reflective is to a) be honest and b) spurn others to think reflectively.

It's obvious that some are a bit too shallow to do that. I shouldn't be surprised. JG

Courtney Strahan said...

kara, sara wasn't being malicious in pointing this out. it was a jovial conversation in which she said her age was poked fun at and she had done the same in response to the others in the conversation.