Written piece
The Silver Cord
Retna Vijayan
Malaysia
About this piece
The Silver Cord is my family's story of being born and living with silver hair. This genetic mutation sets us apart while binding us together. It has held true for five generations, that I know of, and I hope that it will continue for many more.
My first memory of my father was a silvery halo.
In his thirties, Papa had a full head of sterling silver hair. Amma was always on his case to go the Bigen Black route.
“You will look young, not like a Tata!”
But my father was stubborn, or as he termed it, a man of principle.
Many South Asians aka ‘our people’ are blessed with thick, lustrous hair. For the truly blessed our thick, lustrous hair turns silver early, sometimes from birth.
This was true for my great-grandfather Ramalingam, my grandfather Vijayasingam, and my father Vijayan.
In my father’s 35th year, I was born with silver streaks on each temple. Imagine if you will the hair of a miniature Bride of Frankenstein.
My mother blamed herself for this supposed fault, but my father’s rejoicing was intense, or so I was told, repeatedly. Not that there was ever doubt, but it was confirmation that I was indeed his child, of his seed. The hair doesn’t lie.
As a child it was a challenge to have silver hair.
Teasing. Uban. Nenek. Paatti. LaoLan. Granny. Expectations that I was hyper-intelligent or wise beyond my years i.e a genius.
Thankfully, I had also inherited my father’s stubbornness and preternaturally young face.
The silver cord continues strong among all my children.
According to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Silver Surfers are heralds, as are we, my forefathers, my children and I.
Our silver hair the cord that sets us apart while binding us together.
I can see my past in my future, an unbroken cord of silver.
E N D S -