Signs of Trauma

I've been asked about the physical marks I mentioned yesterday. Sorry. I didn't mean to be mysterious. They actually aren't that big a deal other than that they exist at all -- my body's reminders of trauma past. In fact, one I'm ridiculously proud of.

Typically it's things doctors can spot, while others wouldn't notice. For example, my dentist asked me recently what serious illness I had had a number of years ago. It beats me what he's seeing. Actually, it reminds me of reading Antarctic ice samples to tell the history of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

The victims of misconduct that I know have all had major weight issues at least in the immediate wake of the misconduct. Most got way too thin, but one I know had the opposite reaction, and became obese. I gather both are common reactions. I'm also glad to say that most of us have healed and our weight is now in normal range (whatever that means in our society -- but that's a different issue).

My most apparent change (and the one I'm proud of, though I have no right to be) is that my hair changed color. The year after filing the complaint it looked as if I had a bad hair dye job growing out, though I never dyed my hair -- ever. But then it emerged this lovely silver color ("prematurely gray"), which was much nicer than my original color. I wouldn't recommend this as a beauty tip, though. Forget it.

Personally I think happiness is the most attractive. I hope one day to look like the Dalai Lama (my beauty role model?), but have a long way to go. And I'll never look good in maroon, let alone maroon and gold.