HAIR!!!! - Head, facial and otherwise...

Ian,

You have always had a bit of an "obsession" problem - keys, jackets, stufties, your "Y", Lego people, basketball, Frisbee, the guitar, the bass, the stand-up bass, working out, work out schedules and routines, and the list goes on for things that commanded your focus. But your longest lasting obsession has been with your hair, on your head, facial and otherwise...

You started with very little hair. Really, just a sprinkling of red/brown silky hair and it took a while for your legendary "mop" to grow. You poised as a one year old with B.J. showing off your highly styled, yet thin do!

Your first haircut was when you were about two. Mom carefully cataloged the historic event in your Baby book, saving your first cut locks as a reminder of that precious time - you as a baby. You enjoyed a sucker as a reward for being a good boy, sitting still for the cut.

As a youngster, you were letting your hair just grow and it did not seem to have a particular style.

But all this changed as you went into elementary school at Browns Valley. Doing your hair was a PRIORITY - I mean style and perfection were pursued and time or product were not limits. Look at these amazing styles - all in pursuit of that perfect look! Gotta love the spiked bangs.

Junior high in Austin at Brentwood produced more inspiration. You had grown your hair very long. We kept wondering why and then it was presented that you were doing so to get a Mohawk cut - not just a small one, but a dramatic, sky high, true punk Mohawk. I remember the cut - the questions the stylist asked. "Are you sure?" "No removal of length?" "Can you style this yourself?" And your answers were clear and confident: "Yes; No; Yes!" Mom was out of town when the you got your Mohawk, but was coming home the next day. We worked hard, to get the hair pasted high and in full punk style. You complimented the "do" with a suit - had to look awesome for your Mom. Nothing was ever too good for her! You initiated a process for us to make signs that we could greet Mom with at the airport - she would come down the escalator to see your Mohawk and your loving, creative signs. (Note the amazing artwork!)

You went to Brentwood one day with the Mohawk. We fixed it up, taking an amazing amount of time that morning and product to get it to stand up. This left all three of us exhausted. Your friends thought you had gone overboard, become wild, and may be a questionable character. This really hurt you - deeply. That a hairstyle, something you thought was unique and fun, would influence how people saw you deeply affected you. You insisted to go to the stylist again and have the Mohawk removed. I was very sad seeing it cut off. Not that the hair meant anything really, but it was something you planned, worked and waited to grow, something you were very proud of, something that you were hurt deeply about. It was always hard to see you sad and hurt. No dad want's his kids to hurt. But it was cut, and you walked out with a buzz! Still an amazing good looking guy. I think this taught you that you really looked good regardless of your hair length and style. High School would prove this to be true.

It was as you came into High School that hair expanded in meaning - peach fuzz became whiskers with sideburns and beard were not far behind. You were that kid - who looked older than you were, who looked cool with hair styles for the entire noggin. Women at Starbucks making passes at a high school kid. Ask Amy and Mom about that story - classic!

You also began to build the bouncy, poofy, hairdo - that messy look that is so signature.

 Honestly, it was a see-saw, from long and poofy, to short and highly stylish.

But when a special event presented itself, you would insure that your hair was perfect - just like you did when you were five! Love this picture with you and Serina before Prom! What good lookin' kids!

Funny thing, most have "a" style. You had that ability to make any look - cool. You sent this picture from A&M asking Mom, "Do I look like a 70's porn star?" you texted - well, kinda.

At Texas A&M, you migrated from a short stylish look to the long, poofy - if only longer in length - Troy Polamalu, hair.

Your Road Trip with Terry produce many memorable pictures you texted to us - your hair and beard became genuine works of art - providing a story and atmosphere to the scenes the two of you would see. Love this picture at an interesting store in Louisiana. As a barista, you would know the power and quality of coffee. Clearly this one accomplished what it claimed!!! BTW - you are BUILT BIG - look in that picture at your pecs and biceps! Wow!

Our last visit to Texas A&M saw you covering your "do" - that was growing a bit out of control - in the beanie. Your first beanie was purchased by Momma Jean and Poppa Gene at the skateshop on 12th street near ACC - I think you were a freshman in High School. You continued to wear beanies over the years. Just love this picture of you with your brother and sister - an earlier beanie pic, in High School - sophomore?

Back to A&M, this picture brings back such deep, memories of so many visits, sleeping in dorm rooms with you, running around campus, the Rec, the town, hanging with friends, and on and on - a blend of joy and saddness that cannot be expressed.

Your beard was a nice ruddy color, brown and red, and when long, quite unruly. We talked about how your beard was growing high - up toward your eyes. Yes, I am jealous of your hair!!! You would pull back your hair to show a widows peak - you swore it was receding. Never really looked like that was happening - but maybe the length hid things! The picture with Roxy and your last selfie suggest you listened to your Mom and cut back the out of control "eye beard." But your hair, as in the video with you jumping over the trashcans in the "Parent's Weekend" blog, your hair was big and floppy as usual.

I hassled you about your out of control floppy hair - wanting you to cut it and look stylish again. You said, no - that you were growing it out long enough to donate to Locks of Love. I said - really? It is going to look terrible. You were not concerned. You loved your hair; you reveled in its length, uniqueness, color, curl and bounce. But you never loved anything more than other people, even those you never met. You were glad to grow your hair long - looking probably just like Troy P. - but only to donate it so little girls who lost their hair due to cancer treatment or other health issues could have hair as a wig. Since you went home, >20 people followed your inspiration, donating their hair to Locks of Love. Your mom, sister, many friends from school, Amy at Starbucks, this list goes on. What starts with you Ian, truly changes the world.

I wish I could see your bouncy, big hair again - running toward me for your memorable big, bear hugs; floating as you jumped high on the Ultimate field; being a big mess in the morning as you got up from bed; framing your face - that handsome, loving face - with those amazing eyes! I miss you poofy hair, your crazy beard, your voice, your walk ... your everything.

Will we have hair in heaven? The Gospels make no mention of Jesus' hair or indicate that Jesus was bald after the resurrection - apparently He looked the same, save the presence of the scars of redemption on his hands, feet and side. In Revelation, John said he saw Jesus approach him - "His hair was white like wool, like snow..." Apparently Jesus' hair was memorable, mentioned with Jesus' eyes that "were like flames of fire." My interpretation is that Jesus' white hair is indicative of His purity and holiness. The "wooliness" maybe suggests that Jesus has big, poofy, bouncy hair. I wish you were here, not Home. Maybe you and Jesus share not only an eternal Home, but a similar hairdo. Knowing that you are with Jesus, that Jesus, the Man with the wooly hair, assures us to "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the Living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and Hades...Surely, I am coming soon." (Rev. 1, 21), I can seek to believe and look forward to seeing your big bouncy hair, your curly, red, unruly beard again - soon.

Love you "E,"

Dad

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10