You know, a while ago, someone pointed something out to me.

"You and your family all have long hair. Why is that?"

I have asked this to my family myself. I was told many things by many different people, but the most repeated one was a story not unlike Samson's (Not sure if that's the right man, but it's the name I hear when I tell it myself). Our hair being kept long is to remind us of the shame the lord back then had brought upon our bloodline when he trusted a concubine to comb it. She strangled him with it.

Another thing I was told was that it was a contract to accept the burden of living. As it grows each day, so does one's mind as they blunder and stumble through the pains of existing. Each glorious wave a victory and each split end a defeat. As it thins, you inch closer and closer to your time, or purpose in life. An hourglass, if you will. To cut it short is to forfeit your will to live, to ask for death. Those of you who know me well might have seen this at one time or another.

Something else I was told is that it is a testament to your patience. If you have the patience to deal with long hair, to comb it out each day and to wash and condition and otherwise care for it, you have the patience to deal with most situations.

My dad once said it is to act as a noose once you realize how worthless you truly are, or as a handle so those out to get you can grab you. But he was doing that thing where he talks to you in his sleep and spouts utter nonsense, so take that for what it's worth. I wonder if it has anything to do with the Samson story.

I have been told many, many things about why everyone in our family has long hair. But as I thought about it, I also noticed that everyone is quite reclusive, disliking of other humans. I don't know if that's connected in any way.

Anyway, why do I keep my hair long? Simple. It's easy to hide behind.