Ever since I was a teenager, I have been complaining about my hair. My sister Chery had beautiful hair. I was always envious of her long, straight dark hair while I got stuck with the wild, curly, wavy, unruly red hair. She could go straight from the shower to school with her beautiful hair and not have to do a thing. I, on the other hand, had to iron mine with wax paper or roll it on coke cans (not conducive to a good night's sleep). And as soon as it rained, which was everyday in Seattle, all ironing was gone and I looked like little "Orphan Annie" again.
Even as I got older, I was always complaining about how long it took to fix my hair. Eventually I got a really short hair cut thinking that would help. (When you get up at 4:30 in the morning for work, every second counts.) But I still complained.
Yesterday morning I woke up so fatigued I could barely get out of bed. But I really wanted to see my good friend who was in the hospital. It was about 95 degrees outside so the wig was definitely out. Wigs are hot and scratchy and after a couple of hours they leave a dent in your head so you end up with a headache.
So I decided on a scarf. Even after 6 months, I have not gotten the hang of tying these scarves. So I worked and I worked. My arms felt like lead weights trying to hold them up because I was so tired. I just couldn't get it. Finally in my frustration, I ripped off the scarf and got my hairbrush out of the drawer and began to run it over my bald head, crying all the while. How was it I spent so many years complaining about my hair? Was this my payback? Was this another of my life's lessons to be learned?
Luckily, Carl came in just then and rescued me from myself. Seeing my tears, he just pulled me close and held me. And it was okay again. After a few moments, I pulled it together, and was ready to make another attempt at the scarf.
Yes, I guess it was another life lesson I needed to learn. And I got it this time. For, I know that when I do get my hair back, no matter what color it comes in or how straight or curly is, I will never, ever complain about it.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
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I'm wishing I still had my white old-lady hair. LOL. Recently I began using a pony-tail rubber band to "tie" my scarves. Lot easier! Or you could buy some matching scrunchies, those elastic fabric type pony tail ties. I, too, have a wig but I hate wearing it. You're right, they're hot and after awhile become uncomfy. Blessings to ya!
ReplyDeleteI'm no good at tying scarves either, and holding my arms up during chemo was almost impossible!!!!! I used several of these types of chemo hats:
ReplyDeletehttp://cgi.ebay.com/Tan-Roses-Cancer-Head-Wrap-Chemo-Scarf-Turban-Hat_W0QQitemZ260421100865QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3ca24ea541&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1205%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50
I really liked them a lot!
((I read this one right after church but didn't get a chance to comment.))
ReplyDeleteNowadays, when I'm having a bad hair day, I think of you and feel guilty that I'm even worrying/complaining about it. Sometimes you just gotta work with what you've got and be thankful for it!
Sorry we still haven't set up a time to go on our special shopping day for hats and such, but maybe we'll just have to do it without Brittany, since she's out of town. :-P Let me know. And if you already have enough hats, we could just go on a regular girl's day out. :)
Here I am, the voice of experience. Yes. You will complain about your hair when it comes back. My poor friend Mary's hair is so tightly curled, she cannot do a thing with it, and it is too short for a straightener. I haven't exactly complained about mine yet. It is iron gray (from brown) and it is tufty and prone to stick out and up, giving me a very hedge hog sort of look. Trim it, everyone says! But it's less than an inch long, and I can't quite bear for it to be shorter. You'll be very happy to see your hair again, but we fully expect that there will be a period when it is growing in that you cannot do a thing with it. And unless you are better stuff than we are, you will complain about it.
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