Day of Baldness

My mom once said that one never feels one's age except in the bone's. That is, even at sixty, one is twenty-two in one's mind--it is only when trying to run a mile or load a bundle of goods into the trunk of a car that one discovers one's age. The mind is willing, but the flesh has become weak. I would say that the same is in some ways true of baldness. I do not think about not having hair up there atop the head until often it is too late.

Yesterday, I was to work some frisbee golf/ultimate frisbee activity; I was never quite certain what it was. I had at the time that the call for volunteers went out nothing better going on that weekend, and with the activity right where I live, I couldn't justify not helping out. I was also in one of those moods where I felt that my life had so little significance or use that at the very least I could put it to use doing this for some guy that needed volunteers and for a church that wanted some money as a fundraiser.

The activity was in fact within walking distance, and I walked it. I left early, since I wasn't sure how long it would take me. I got to the field by 12:15; I was supposed to be there by 1:00. No one was there, so I sat on a step at the top of football field and realized at the moment that I should have brought a hat. It was sunny, and I was going to be eaten up.

Others arrived, which was a good thing--otherwise, I'd have worried about having shown up at the wrong place, since the main guy in charge never did show up. Apparently, as I found out later, he had had car problems. I moved into the shade. We waited until 1:20; I walked around the facilities for another ten minutes after just to make sure the guy in charge wasn't hiding out somewhere. I was somewhat relieved to avoid the activity, since I thought I would be safe, having spent a large chunk of time in the sun. But after walking home, I had a headache. Looking in the mirror, the reason was clear. I was very red. It seems unfair not to have hair up there; I mean, hair has a purpose, one of which is to protect you from the sun. But alas, I guess I was not made for sun.