I am a bit bipolar when it comes to my hair. I want it long, then I want it short....oops, mistake. I want it long again. I've been doing this since I was about 17 or so. I don't know why.
This time I'm going to change things up a bit. For one thing, I've been researching hairstyles on Pinterest for a month or two. Just when I've decided on one, I see another I like. So many hairstyles; so little time! If you are looking for a new hairstyle, follow Only the Manager on Pinterest and check out my hairstyles board. Don't be surprised if you feel overwhelmed by the choices, though. As I type this, it is a matter of only hours until I go get the deed done and yet I've not decided on my style.
Imagine my delight when I heard of Locks of Love! It gave me a mission! Who knew that growing and cutting off hair could serve such a purpose! Also people who may have thought a middle-aged women shouldn't have hair this long surely wouldn't complain if it is for a charitable purpose! Yep. I went from crazy-hair-lady to noble-lady! I'm still bipolar about my hair, but at least my craziness helps others.
The first time I donated to Locks of Love (2004) I gave 22 inches of hair. It was kind of fun! I went in to my hairdresser's on a Saturday morning. No one else was there when I arrived. However, just before she cut off my ponytail, her husband stopped in with her 4 or 5 year old son. He stood watching as she cut. Really, 22 inches is a lot of hair and when it comes off all at once, I guess it looks rather dramatic. Her son started screaming, "Mama! You broke her hair! You broke it!" He was so distressed; I quickly reassured him that I wanted her to do it but I am not sure he ever believed me. He may have been scarred for life. I hope not.
I kept my hair short for awhile after that. I thought I was too old to grow my hair long again. I was also expecting it to go gray any minute, but it didn't. So, I started growing it out again.
In 2009 I donated again to Locks of Love. At that time I was working as a chemotherapy nurse. Ironic, huh? I was giving other women drugs that made their hair fall out yet I easily grew mine long again. I got the bright idea that I would ask one of the patients if she wanted to cut my hair off before I went to get it styled. I chose a woman who had battled cancer repeatedly for years. She told me she had lost her hair at least three different times. She had a good sense of fun and was delighted to accept my offer. As it turned out, someone at our clinic asked me to have her do it at a cancer survivor party. I agreed. I didn't realize that the local tv stations would be covering the event, as well as our newspaper! What a strange experience.
I wasn't blogging yet then, but my daughter did a post about the event. You can read about it here if you'd like, just keep in mind that my daughter wrote it. She's the president of my fan club! When I look back at those photos I remember a day of fun and joy. We were celebrating life and friendship. The woman who cut my hair, Sharyn, survived a long time after her first diagnosis of cancer. Sadly, the day did come when we had to say good-bye to Sharyn. I will always remember the fun she had that day, though. She really got into it and charmed all who watched her short hairdressing career. I went to my hairdresser later that day. I didn't choose my own style but instead, let my hairdresser do whatever she wanted.
For another change this time, I'm thinking I will send my ponytail to Wigs for Kids. I don't really care which organization handles it, as long as someone who can't grow their own hair gets a turn at combing and curling and primping and styling.
So, how do you manage your hair? Do you like to try different styles or have you found one that just feels like YOU and so you stick with it?
Good-bye long hair...for now.
