A sweet neighbor called me to see if I knew of anyone who could help cut her daughter's hair.
Her daughter (maybe late 50's) has been in the hospital for treatment for bone marrow cancer. Something she has been battling for 5 years.
Her hair had grown long and had gotten tangled in the hospital on one of her stays so it had to be cut short by her husband.
I have a dear friend who is a hairdresser who agreed to come to their home to touch up the woman's hair.
They had never met each other and are the age difference of a mother and daughter.
But as she was wheeled into the kitchen and they exchanged greetings it was clear that did not matter.
As I watched my friend respectfully ask the daughter how she would like to have her hair styled, listening intently, and then carefully and deliberately take care to gently cut and blow-dry and style her hair, it was a heart-moving moment.
The daughter had a constant peaceful smile as her eyes were closed and she looked as if she was relishing and appreciating the care she was receiving.
I wondered how long it had been with all the doctor appointments and tests and hospital stays since she had been able to enjoy the attention and pampering that was being given to her. It was a humble surrounding in her childhood kitchen with all the original counters and cupboards and the humility could be felt through the home as it was filled with those she loved and who were anxious to see the "reveal".
My young friend had brought along a new packaged lip gloss her sister had given her. She decided this was just the perfect occasion to use it, telling her new friend as she applied it, that she wanted her to feel beautiful!
Refusing to accept any money for her services when offered, she said, "This is my Christmas present to you!"
The emotional gratitude, the new friendship, and the love that was felt, was a picture and feeling I hope will last me many Christmas' to come.
For just a short amount of time, the urgency and realities of life were replaced by "the moment". A moment of peaceful love and beauty.
May we all try to remember the example of my friend: that we can even give presents to those we don't really know (yet), and make all the difference, if even, "just for a moment".
"The manner of giving is worth more than the gift". ~Pierre Corneille, Le Menteur
