Not Her Typical Hair Cut

It was time.  Brushing her long hair into a pony tail secured with a rubber band, I grew nervous. 

I've been cutting her hair all her life, and generally, we have always been pleased with the results.
 
But,

I have never before cut a foot of hair off her head.  Nor have I ever cut her hair shorter than shoulder length. 

She has been growing it for over a year, ever since she heard two sisters at our Friday co-op grew their hair, cut it, and donated it to be made into wigs for children who have no hair. 

Since then, the months have dragged on for me.  There have been a few times when I was tempted to just trim it a bit, an inch or so, maybe add some layers, to give it a nicer, fuller appearance, but she has been steadfast, declining the offers and enjoying the waiting process.

She appeared to be attached to her long hair, styling it, and at times, curling it.  I thought it would make this moment harder.  For almost two weeks, I delayed, giving her time to reconsider, and me time to gain courage. 

A foot of hair is not a small
hair cut. 


By Thursday, she had asked me numerous times when we were going to cut her hair. 

"Today," I assured her, knowing she was more ready than I.

The moment had arrived.  A large plastic bag and padded envelope were ready.  Directions read and reread.  Hair measured and remeasured. 

All that was left was the cutting, and courage for me.   Courage to actually cut these tresses that have grown for over a year. 

We prayed blessings for the child who would benefit from the donation and thanksgivings for my daughter's generous heart.  For me, we prayed for courage to cut and steady hands.  Silently, I prayed she would like the shorter than normal hair cut.  When the prayer was over, I grasped the tamed mane in one hand, and in the other, a pair of scissors. 


now a memory...






Slowly,

I began to cut
through the thick pony tail. 

An eternity passed
until I severed it 
completely. 

Then, setting the pony tail aside,
I wet her hair, and began trimming her hair evenly into the chosen hair style, a reverse bob of sorts.

Her hair was now short in the back and slightly longer at the front, in the hairstyle a friend (whose daughters had inspired my daughter) had recommended.  "It is an easy style after the donation is cut," I had been told.  She was right.  It was easy to trim into shape. 

I waited, breath held, as she moved to glance in the mirror.  Would she like it?  Would she be upset she had cut her hair?

She returned to the kitchen where I was cleaning up, "Well, what do you think?"  I was afraid to breathe, hoping she was OK with the short (for her) hair cut.   At least it will grow back if she doesn't like it, I quickly thought.

She smiled a wide happy smile.  "I really like it."

"You do?"  Gratitude and relief washed over me. 

"Yeah, and look I can wear these little clips now!" she added, showing me a new style.

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There are several places that accept donations of hair for making wigs or to help offset the cost of making a wig.  For information on how you could donate to one such organization, Locks of Love, click here.