3 years ago I had a drastic hair cut...for those who knew me then remember how short. Almost too short (think pixie cut, but slightly longer). It left a bad taste in my mouth so I decided that I wasn't going to cut my hair for at least a year. After that year was over and my hair was much longer (in comparison), I kind of liked it longer and others that I was close to did too. Now, people talk about attaching memories to inanimate objects...well, that happened to be my hair. I remember events and memories based on my hair length. Sounds silly, but if you've ever experienced the same phenomena with an object, place, song, etc., then you understand. It's like, when you hear that certain song, a certain memory pops us. That.
The turning point in deciding that I would grow my hair out to donate happened about a year and a half ago. As some know, I nannied a little boy who had leukemia at the time (praise the Lord, he doesn't anymore :) ) and had to spend many hours and days in the hospital with him. While there I saw many kids who were battling cancer as well and I wanted to do something to help. Obviously, I'm not a doctor or could be a caregiver to all of them. I already regularly gave blood (seeing blood transfusions was neat), and then it dawned on me that with my hair getting longer and longer, I could donate that. I had gotten used to not cutting it so I knew I could be patient enough to keep growing it. The times I did want to cut it after that, I always pictured Jackson's little face and the faces of the other kids battling for their lives and I left it alone. If I could alleviate at least one thing in one kid's life, that would be awesome.
As time went on, I grew attached to my hair (no pun intended ;) ), and again, I had attached so many memories to it. But then God started me on a journey a couple of months ago that made tonight quite appropriate for this cutting. He brought me to Northland, a place I never expected to be, threw me in a play where I discovered aspects of theatre I never explored, and gave me relationship opportunities I never expected. A new chapter. A changing mindset. It may seem silly (and since when do I care what others think? ;) ), but cutting my hair was symbolic. Giving of myself. Letting go. Not of the memories, but allowing myself to move forward to continue to give of myself. Nothing of me or my life is mine. It's for the purpose of serving and loving others. Giving my hair is just a start.
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