Gray

 Gray

Since my college days, I have often been praised for my writing.  When someone mentions my writing in a positive way, I am very humbled...but it also makes me giggle a little on the inside.  How can this girl, who can write and write about anything and everything, NOT write a sincere, endearing note in a Hallmark card to friends and family members to save her life!?!  My cards usually consist of "You are the best", "Thanks for everything you do for me",  or underlining the cards own tag line.   ....or some combination of the three!  It has become such an embarrassment to even give cards anymore.  I guess my sister got that writing talent instead.  When ever we are at a celebration or family get together of sorts, people read my card which takes about 1-2 minutes.  My sister's card on the other hand seems to take forever to read through.  I get a smile, "thanks" and a hug, while my sister gets tearful eyes from her readers!  It truly puts me to shame.  I have learned over the years that if I must give a card, to at least give it first... I mean...who wants to follow that?
Anyways...

You are probably wondering about the title to this page.  Gray.  While sitting in a writing class over the summer we were asked to write for 15 minutes, on pretty much any topic, as long as it was on one of our "lists".  I chose to write about the color gray.  If you do not already know, gray is my most favorite color around.
I am particularly proud of this piece, though I can not pin point why.  So proud that during this class, I was one of 2 people that volunteered to read their piece to over 300 people using a microphone.  Now that is a confidence that I wish I had ALL of the time, in every aspect of life!  I actually surprised my self by raising my hand.  It was as though my brain had no control over my heart or hand movement...because if it had the rational, shy side of me would have said "Put that hand DOWN"! LOL

So without further adieu....

Gray

My favorite color is gray.  When others inquire about my favorite color, I often get odd, puzzled expressions after I respond simply with gray.  I think these expressions appear most often because few recognize or even consider gray to be an actual "color".  Or perhaps it is a boring, or even dreary color in their eyes, with images of gray skies, cloudy-rainy days, or days of unproductiveness and isolation flashing through their mind.

But for me, the color gray signifies warmth and comfort.  Maybe it is fond memories of my mom, cozying up in gray sweats after a long day of work, when I was a young child.  I can imagine myself right now curled up on her lap, nice and cozy warm, while... yes... it is raining outside.
Oddly enough, the color gray makes me think of the warm glow of a burning fire.  Everyone cozy and huddled around.  It makes me think of the ocean.  Shingle sided houses, weathered and worn with bright white trim outlining every edge.  Cold, gray sand beneath my toes, digging, digging, digging into the surface of the shore.  The stark contrast, of a hint of bright pink toenail polish, peaking through the thousands of grains of sand atop my feet.  A mix of sun and clouds shone in the sky above and a storm approaching just off the coast.  The gray vertical streaks, that paint the sky from the clouds down to the horizon, showing that rain is on the way.

When I think of gray I think of the long windy road climbing up to the mountain top.  Tall, gray rock walls towering above to one side and deep ravines plunging far below on the other.  Sun shining down on the spring or late summer snow.

So why do I like the color gray?  I guess it brings me back to all of my favorite things; all of my favorite places.

Fun Fact:  Why else is gray a great color?  Have you met another color with two different spellings?  Many people often confuse themselves over the spelling of gray & grey.  Well here I am to clear up all that confusion right now!

They are both right!  Gray, is most often associated with those that speak and write using American English, and Grey, is most often associated with those that speak and write using UK English.

When all else fails think:

GrAy is how it is spelled in America.

and

GrEy is how it is spelled in England.