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"Her hair is beautiful, isn't it, mom?" The child's voice rang clearly from behind as I stood in line at the super market.
"Yes, honey, it's gorgeous," the child's mother replied.
It wasn't until I turned just before leaving to say "thank you" that I realized the child who had complimented my long, flowing blonde ponytail had no hair. I barely managed to choke
out my thanks as the flood of memories returned reminding me of the painful time my best friend in junior high school lost her below-the-waist length hair and became bald in one day. When I got to
my car, I sat in the front seat by myself and cried. I knew what my girlfriend had gone through and I felt the poignant pain of feeling helpless to change that which was not in my power to transform.
A few months later while visiting Boca Raton, Florida on business, I learned of the charity Locks of Love that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under the age of eighteen with
medical hair loss.
My donated ponytail would enable a Locks of Love child to regain his or her self-esteem and self-confidence. I would be providing a child with the dream of "fitting in" with peers a reality.
I was on the phone immediately asking for more information. I learned that my ponytail had to be at least 10 to 12 inches long, clean and healthy.
Thus, I began the slow task of growing my hair to the exact specified length and making certain that I put nothing on my hair such as a color or perm that might damage it in any way. The details were specific: It must be bundled in a pony-tail or braid 10 to 12 inches, free of hair damaged by chemical processing, clean and dry, placed in a plastic bag and mailed in a padded envelope to:
Locks of Love
1640 S. Congress Avenue, Suite 104
Palm Springs, Florida 33461
For more information about Locks of Love, please call
(561) 963-1677;
or visit the web site at http://www.LocksofLove.org.
Email: info@LocksofLove.org.
I must admit it felt funny to have my hair shorter than I've ever worn it, but I never once regretted it.
I know my hair will go to a deserving recipient. It might be made into a custom, vacuum-fitted hairpiece made entirely from donated human hair. The vacuum fit is designed for children who have experienced a complete loss of scalp hair and does not require the use of glue or tape. Maybe that child in the super market who thought my hair was so beautiful will wind up being the grateful recipient of my donated ponytail. I sure hope so, because I have been the grateful recipient of giving my long locks with love.
Readers Comments:
Wow Kay - THANK YOU for sharing that. I thought it was "just another one of those forwarded internet stories". Imagine my surprise when I got
to the end and realized that this beautiful (and beautifully written) story was about YOU. It brings tears to my eyes and truly makes me want to grow mine long again, just so I can get it cut off!
Isn't it funny how we take advantage of the fact that we have that option? - Liz
Kay, That was so nice of you...It is heart wrenching to see an adult without the hair...but when you see a child...It hurts. Thank you for doing that for someone
special...I'm sure you sent some beautiful energy with it! I am touched by this gesture. take a hug, - Hyla
Cool, Kay, thanks for the info! Mel's hair is loooooong, but nearly half white. I can't imagine it being "sold at fair market value," though...I'd
encourage him to let me cut it IF it were going directly into a prosthetic hairpiece...
But our 19 year old son has a headful of thick, wavy blond hair that's approaching 10" long. I'm sure he'd gladly donate it when it reaches the proper length.
He'd sure get a kick out of imagining some cute little girl with *his* hair fluffing around her face! <G>
I've bookmarked the site. -- Jeannette
"Kay- I want to applaud and thank-you for such a wonderful article on our organization. My name is Katy Karr and I'm the Assistant to the Executive Director
here at Locks of Love. Not only was your story beautifully written, but was very accurate as well. We appreciate both! Most of all, we appreciate your loving and giving spirit to contribute a
part of yourself to help these children who no longer have what we all so often take for granted; a full head of hair.
Thank you. -- Katy Karr -- Asst. to Executive Director
Locks of Love"
Kay:
You gave your hair to girls with cancer.
My mom died from cancer. I am only eight and I am lonely. I miss her. Will I ever see my mom again? Amanda*
My dear Amanda:
I cannot tell you that I know how you feel, because I have not lost my mother. When my grandmother passed on, I was devastated which is how I believe you must feel. Because I have a daughter of my own, I can tell you that your mother loved you more than anything in the universe. If she had a choice, she would have never left you, much less left you lonely. As a mother I also know you are your mother's most prized gift, because you are your mother's adored child. I can tell you that when you hug someone, you will feel your mother's warm arms around you in unison enveloping you. Make sure that you give the precious gift of your fabulous hugs as often as you can, because others need your healing hugs as much as you do. When you hold someone's hand, you will know the presence of your mother's gentle hand holding your hand and guiding you with loving determination. When you accomplish something you've been trying hard to master, you will feel your mother's pride swell within your chest and you will know you have done a spectacular job. When you hear or read the words "I love you" and "you are special," you will hear those wonderful words echo in your mother's soft voice. You will also hear her tender words of encouragement whisper to you when the wind gently blows against your face, but when the wind is pushing at your back, you will feel your mother delicately shoving you and you'll know she is sharing your unique journey through life with you. On the day you get married, you will know in your doubtless heart the powerful strength of your mother's deep love for you and your father. There will be days you will look in the mirror and see your mother's beautiful face smiling back at you with adoration and you will know an undeniable peace within. When you have children, you will see yourself as an extraordinary tiny child who meant everything to her mother and you will understand fully the infinite affection your mother had for you. You will also see both your reflection and your mother's reflection in your exceptional grandchildren and know the bond of a mother's unfailing love. In this life you will never know lonely as long as you close your eyes and listen, because you will hear your mother singing to you in a voice as clear as an angel's whenever you need her telling you how much she loves and adores you. Most important, dearest Amanda, when you close your eyes for the last time you will see your mother.
*Because this child is a minor her last name and location will not be
revealed.
This is beautiful.
Cindy Hobbs, Accounting Supervisor Medical
Kay- I was very touched by your story, so much so that I was in tears. I found your site while I was researching the Locks of Love Foundation in order
to donate my hair. Before reading your story I was weary about donating my hair. I have been growing it out for the past year and a half because the last time I cut it I regretted it. Recently someone complimented my hair and suggested I donate it. At first the idea of someone else wearing my hair scared me, but then I was told that the hair is donated to make wigs for children. Immediately the idea became appealling, because I have always loved my hair and I would love to give it to another child so that he/she can enjoy it as much as I have. Despite the amazing feeling about being able to help someone, I was still reluctant to part with my locks. After reading your story it has convinced me to do it. Thank you for inspiring me!
Emily P. - Fairfield, CTCenter of South AR
My hair is already pretty long, but after being inspired by children with cancer, in the next few months, I too, will be donating my hair. Courtney - in Maryland
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©1999 Kay Chirichigno
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