I have always been envious of Sunny’s Rapunzel-like hair. She takes after my mother, sister, and *ahem* brother, who all have long, gorgeous, flowing locks. My hair isn’t terrible, it’s just not abundant and radiant and a statement piece like my siblings, mother, and daughter.
Sunny’s mane has been a conversation starter since she was born with a full-blown mohawk. But recently, its extreme length has been less-than-ideal in the heat and humidity of this particularly moist summer. The other night, as Addison was desperately swiping her matted hair from her neck, a tangle of frustration and defeat, she proclaimed that she needed a haircut. I admitted that sounded like a smart idea, especially given our lack of air conditioning. I’d been resisting having it cut, not only because it was so stunning, but because I knew that it would turn my recent four year old into a full blown, last year of preschool, four year old. But I totally sympathized with the horror and discomfort of sweaty, disheveled, humidity-induced frizz.
Given its length, I proposed that she donate her excessive ponytail to Wigs for Kids. Cancer (unfortunately) has been a constant topic of conversation ever since Ursa was diagnosed over a year ago. Then the girls’ babysitter’s husband died very suddenly after an unexpected, late leukemia diagnosis this fall, and a dear friend’s nephew (who is the same age as Courtland) spent last year battling cancer (he, fortunately, kicked its butt!). On the upside, Sunny’s FGM (Fairy Godmother) is a radiation oncologist, so James and I have been able to explain to her that her Auntie Dellie helps care for people living with cancer. We told her that, like her Auntie Dellie, this was something meaningful she could do to help a little boy or girl fighting cancer. We talked about how chemotherapy in humans causes hair loss (and she knows Ursa’s been doing chemotherapy but still has a full coat of fur), and that to help make them feel better, her hair could be used to create a wig. We looked at pictures online and talked about how special it was that she could do something to help.
She was excited by the idea, so a hair appointment was made. She moved everyone in the hair salon with her enthusiastic proclamations that she was going to donate her hair to help a little girl or boy with cancer. Although nervous about getting her hair washed and blow dried, she quickly overcame her fears in the name of ponytail donation.
She was fascinated by the severed ponytail, and showed it off to everyone in the salon.
She did not love the noisy blow dryers, but her mood elevated when she refocused on the mirror before her and watched her haircut in process.
She came home triumphant with a balloon validating her courage, and a crazy adorable new look, perfect for summer.
She now looks twelve years old and I may have wept like a baby in that hair salon taking in this rapid onslaught of time. And it’s not just the physical haircut, but the lesson that came from this experience that makes my maternal heart ache with nostalgia, and pride, and tenderness.
She is positively beautiful, inside and out. Here you rothwelldouglas check the all types of wing for litttle girls. And I couldn’t be more proud of the person she’s growing in to, one filled with a generous and kind heart. One that would make any mother proud.
I just fall more and more in love with this kid everyday.
