Thursday, May 20, 2010

Locks of Love


A year ago, Ainsleigh came home from school just gushing, "MOM! Today, there was an assembly for Locks of Love and girls from my school got their hair cut to donate it. It was SO COOL!" And then in August, soon after school started back up, her words seemed to tumble out on top of each other, "They'redoingLocksofLoveagainpleasecanIdoitpleaseohplease?!" At that point, her hair was barely to her shoulders. They want 10 inches of donated hair (not scalp to tip). I knew it would be close. More concerning, I knew it would be no small task as I envisioned the days and weeks and months ahead of enforcing hair brushing that would inevitably lead to tears.

But I didn't really have to think about it. Of course we would do it. What a great cause. And I immediately said I would do it with her. "Oh," she breathed, "We can get our hair cut in front of the WHOLE SCHOOL together!" Done.

To her credit, Ainsleigh has been determined to have enough hair to make a donation. On Sunday, as I dried and straightened her hair, I began to get nervous. I measured again. It was going to be close. I gently told her that she might not have enough. Her face fell, her eyes got glassy, her shoulders slumped a little and through trembling lips she said, "Oh. Well. I guess I'll just have to wait until next year?"

I know we can walk into any salon around here at any time and say we want to make a donation (and don't think I haven't been tempted several times over the past couple months since I knew my hair was long enough and was getting so sick of it - but after Ainsleigh said, "I wanted us to do it together at school!" I abandoned the idea), so we could go another month, but dang it this was important to her. She wanted to be part of the SO COOL ASSEMBLY!


the before

Bless the stylist who reassured us Monday morning that they would take 9 inches so her hair wouldn't have to be to her nose. I told her she could take an extra inch from mine to compensate.

The assembly started with a girl from the school and her mother talking about Locks of Love. This little girl is in third grade and when she was in kindergarten was diagnosed with alopecia. Since then, she has received two wigs from Locks of Love. They said it takes 4-6 ponytails to make one wig (though I suspect the girl sitting next to me had enough hair to make her own wig). As I sat there listening to this girl's story, and thinking of my own children and what I would do for them, there wasn't a question in my mind that this was what I should be doing. That morning there were two teachers, myself, and eleven girls who got their hair cut. It was quite a sight.

the girl on my right had four ponytails - she had a TON of hair!

The quirky thing was that we had our hair hacked off on Monday, but couldn't get in for a REAL hair appointment until Wednesday. So for two days I walked around with a stubby ponytail (really different from the long ponytail I had been sporting because of the weight) before the touch-up. And the new do? Oh my. I will say that I have never had my hair this short. And, were it not for Locks of Love, I wouldn't have chosen to go this short. I guess I'm still getting used to it. BUT, my hair grows back. For that I am grateful. And for now I'm enjoying the faster shower-to-styled timeline.

this my stupid ok-take-my-picture-because-the-mom-and-seesters-are-gonna-ask

13 comments:

Becca said...

It looks CUTTEEEEE!!! Seriously, I think it is way happening. How does Ainsleigh like her short hair??

janine said...

I love it! And I wish that I was the one all that gorgeous red hair was being donated to. Almost wishing I was bald. (for the second time....i used to wish that my hair was completely buzzed and then the spikes died bleach blonde....just like the girl in roxette!)

Lisa said...

You look really cute! Really!!! (I know you think I'm just saying this to be nice or something, but if that was the case I just wouldn't have commented, haha) That's so cool that you guys got to do that together.

NancyO said...

It's funny because I was watching a documentary this morning on HBO about Locks of Love. I'm glad you two could do it together. You look cute!

Morris Thurston said...

I'm sure there's a line a mile long for your beautiful hair!

I've been meaning to tell you that I have been listening to The Help and I'm loving it. It is a wonderful story made even more enjoyable by the marvelous readers. I can't remember if you listened to the audio version but it is hard to imagine how much different the experience would be without the perfect voicings. It is one of the most engrossing books I've "read" in a long time.

I haven't finished it yet and have had to take a break because I simply must finish The Undaunted so I can write a review. But I'll go back to The Help as soon as I possibly can.

Allison said...

Cute! It looks great! That's the shortest you've ever had your hair?!? I think our 'dos are pretty similar now.

And I love that you did Locks of Love together. At the assembly. Props to Ainsleigh (and you). Now I kind of wish I had waited longer to chop mine, but given that I'm 4 months postpartum and the hair loss is now starting, it'll be a while...

Your hair seriously looks great. Is it long enough to get in a low ponytail? That's my favorite for summer--short enough to be light, long enough for a (light) ponytail.

wanda said...

Your hair is darling! Do we get to see a picture of Ainsleigh's 'do?

Christina said...

What a wonderful thing to do with A! And I love your hair. I had a hard adjustment time going short--but it sure is quick to dry and it doesn't get in the way.

laura said...

You look super sassy! I love that you guys did it together and that A was so adamant about it.

Alex McMurray said...

So neat that you got do it together! I love both of your new do's!

Katie Ross said...

You look great with shorter hair! Actually you look great no matter what. And same with Ainsleigh, of course.

loewymartin said...

I like it! I think it shows off your beautiful eyes more. And I love that you and Ainsleigh did it together - what an amazing memory for her.

Sarah Burgoyne said...

Your hair looks great but is it a little weird that I miss your long hair? I probably shouldn't be that invested in the length of your hair....

Hold on.. my word verification is: angerype, I am laughing so hard right now :)