I know the topic of “Bald” should lead me to write about my follicly-challenged ancestors. However, the opposite thought immediately came to mind when I saw this weeks theme, brining to mind my very not-bald maternal grandfather, Leo Burgess.
My grandpa Burgess had a full head of hair until he died at age 75. In fact, his hair was jet black for most of his life and did not start to grey until late in life. Ever since my earliest memories of him, he always had the same hair style. Now and again my mother tells an anecdote about her father based upon that fact.
Like most high schoolers, my mother followed the latest trends in hair styles. My grandfather was often away from home for days at a time in his job as a train conductor. During one of those absences, my mother changed her hairstyle once again.
Upon returning home and seeing my mother’s new do, my very blue-collared grandfather was not impressed. He could be very gruff and stern at times and it was often reflected in his tone of voice. According to my mother, her father asked something along the lines of “what the heck is that”, although I imagine it was a little more harsh than that.
My mother shot back with, “well, what do you call that?”, pointing to his hair. My grandfather abruptly changed his demeanour and a very proud look came across his face. In an almost sing-song voice, patting his hair with the heel of his hand, he exclaimed, “it’s a pompadour!”
A Deck of Ancestors 