Thursday, August 28, 2008

What's 10 Inches?

Before


After

We finally did it!

We donated our hair to Locks of Love. This has been over a year in the making and last Friday was the big day! My SIL, the girls' Aunt A cut our hair for us. Here's what got it all started...

One day when we were out for a walk we passed a family, the kids were all smiling and saying hello to all of them, it was a heartwarming moment to watch my children be so sweet. In the back of the group the father was pushing a wheelchair with their daughter who was disabled. Her head was propped up, she was looking to the sky with a smile on her face. My children stopped smiling and just stared. They weren't walking anymore and as the father passed by their eyes followed the wheelchair. I know this is a normal response for young children who are curious, but at that moment my heart sank. I realized that I have not been teaching my children enough about other people's lives. As I shooed them down the sidewalk, we stopped in the grass and sat. We talked about that little girl in the wheelchair. We talked about manners and staring. We talked about being thankful for our health. It was a pretty indepth conversation full of questions, some that I didn't have the answers to. That night at dinner we went around the table and we each said something that we were thankful for. The responses were heartbreaking.

After we ate, I opened up the newspaper to check a time for something and I saw a picture of a little girl who had donated her hair to Locks of Love. Perfect! This was a great opportunity to teach the kids. I showed them the picture, explained why she would cut her hair to give it to someone else? What was a wig? Why some kids have to wear wigs? Why they have to take medicines that help them, but make them sick? Sat dumbfounded searching for a response when asked why God would allow these children to get sick? The questions were tough, but they were learning, I was learning. After talking for awhile, sweet Lolo with tears in her eyes looks at me, grabs her ponytail and says, "I have lots of hair, they can have mine!" To my surprise Molly agreed as well. They were ready to get the scissors and donate at that moment. So we got out the measuring tape. Unless they went for a pixie cut, they didn't have long enough hair. They decided that night that they were going to grow out their hair. To show my support, I agreed to join them.

And there you have it- over a year ago we had this conversation, but to this day and always, we will remember it!

18 comments:

Crystal D said...

Guess what!!! Madeline just did the same thing 2 days ago! I just posted about it.
Lolo and Molly look adorable with their new short hairstyles. You you look younger! Isn't that a nice bonus. :)

Anonymous said...

My neices are such sweethearts!!! Love you girls!
Auntie KY

Courtney said...

What a touching great story and you and your girls look great! You all should be proud of yourselves.

Kat said...

Okay. And now I'm crying. What a lovely story to go along with such a lovely sentiment. What a wonderful mom you are to those wonderful girls!!!

I always say I'm going to do the same but I never get my hair long enough!

Becky said...

Awww, bless your hearts! Your haircuts look darling, and the sweet thoughts behind your donations even more so.

I think I read somewhere that blonde wigs are harder to come by, because brown and black hair is so much more prevalent. Someone somewhere who is getting treated for cancer will be so thrilled!

Unknown said...

That is so inspiring!! What a good lesson you taught your daughters.

PS good to hear from you again -- glad you haven't fallen off the face of the earth :)

Anonymous said...

You are all so gorgeous! Maybe I will do that this year, grow out my hair and cut it, thanks for the inspiration. By the way, I took your awesome suggestion in naming my website! I credited you on my about me page.

Steph said...

That brought tears to my eyes.
My Sabryna donated 2 years ago. I think it's a wonderful thing!
You all look so cute!
Loves and hugs...

Unknown said...

YOU ALL LOOK BEAUTIFUL!

Anonymous said...

I am so proud to call these amazing girls my nieces. Please give them a big hug and a kiss from their Auntie S.
Love ya

KATE said...

Girly Mom~ I'm SO glad you're back, I've been missin' you!!

We LOVE locks of love! My neice and I donated too over this last year with my Mom going thru cancer it was the perfect time.

You're a sweetheart and so are your girls! I LOVE the new "do's" too!!

Valarie said...

That is soo great! I did that last year and it will always be a great memory of mine.
It's so great that you are teaching your girls about how people are different and that isn't a bad thing. I always tell me children "Different isn't bad. It's just different."

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! I am so proud of all of you girls!!

Bridget said...

What a great way to learn a life lesson and help others! You all look so cute.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful lesson for your girls! You all look beautiful!

Anonymous said...

wow... you guys all look awesome... and you've taught amazing life lessons

I have a good life said...

What a great way to teach compassion! You all look so cute with your new cuts! :)

Laski said...

What an amazing gesture! With seemingly simple haircuts you have taught your beautiful daughters so much!

Go mom!!!