You know how sometimes when you are doing something in the present, it takes you back to the past and to all the feelings that were there at that time?
That's what happened to me today as I was getting my daughters cut-hair ready to send to Locks of Love.
It is so thick and soft and beautiful.
I remembered her as a little girl patiently waiting as I "fixed"her hair.
I remembered when she would "let" me touch her hair.
And how now she is a beautiful young woman.
That despite that beauty, to her it is only hair not who she is.
How thoughtful she is to donate her hair to help cancer victims,
growing it to share.
I also thought of her friend who was almost exactly the age my daughter is right now when she lost her battle with cancer.
And I was transported back to about four years ago.
I was driving home one day vocally complaining to myself about how I hated my hair.
I can't even remember exactly why.
It probably had to do with a recent haircut or a need for one.
I don't know, but I recall having a life changing moment.
I became aware of what I was doing.
I had a full head of hair.
I had no gray hair.
It always grew back.
But most importantly it was Gods gift to me.
And I was complaining.
How dare me!
Just a couple of weeks prior to that day my daughters friend was crying after school because some girls were mocking the scarf she was wearing to cover her hair loss.
I do not think they understood the cruelness of their actions, nevertheless it had a devastating effect on a sweet, innocent spirit.
What would my whining sound like to her?
I am ashamed to say how shallow and selfish I was that day in my car.
What was I thinking?
Or not?
I have tried to remember my daughters dear friend and the many profound lessons she taught me in a very short time.
I have tried to be grateful for the many blessings God has bestowed upon me, including my hair.
Mainly I hope that I have put my life in a more proper perspective now.
And I hope and pray that whomever gets some of my daughters hair will feel the love that it was given with.
"No matter what circumstances you sisters experience, your influence can be marvelously far-reaching. I believe some of you have a tendency to underestimate your profound capacity for blessing the lives of others. More often than not, it is not on the stage with some public pronouncement but in your example of righteousness and the countless gentle acts of love and kindness done so willingly, so often on a one-to-one basis."
--James E. Faust
One of my friends, an elderly man, had to have surgery this past Monday for a broken hip.
Another friend, a woman a little older than me, started radiation treatment for breast cancer the same day.
Neither have control:
Over the doctor's performance,
How their bodies will react,
How they will feel after the procedures,
Or an exact recovery date.
What both of them do have control over is:
Their Attitude,
Their Prayers,
Their Hope,
And their Faith.
They exemplify a strong spirit of optimism and loving hope.
A staple that makes living in this life a little easier.
For all of us.
Thank you for your strength.
(I shared this verse as a comment on another blog but it seems fitting here too.)
"Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed....for there be more with us than with him (illness):
With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words.."
2 Chronicles 32:7-8
I wasn't looking for a cry-movie (June 30 post) but I found one.
Actually my son brought it to me.
It is titled Two Weeks. Anita, the mom who is dying of cancer, is played by Sally Field.
She has three sons and one daughter.
I have four sons and one daughter. (April 7th post.)
I could relate to many of the family dynamics.
It was one of my kind of movies.
The criteria for that is:
That it makes you cry,
It makes you laugh,
And it makes you think.
All three of those things happened for me.
Thoughts, real-life thoughts came up, at times they were uncomfortable for me.
Nevertheless they are provoking thoughts.
Things I might want to give at least a little more consideration to.
Especially since it is not something I have to do at this time.
That might make it a little easier.
It also brought with it gratitude.
For the blessings and privileges I so readily get to experience and live.
It is good for me to be reminded of all that I have.
To cherish that which I so easily can take advantage of.
To be reminded of how precious life is and the loved ones who are in it!
Thank you son, for thinking of me and offering to share the movie with me!
(I have to say though that I would've cried harder if you had been watching it with me.)
Love Ya!
"We should give meaning to life, not wait for life to give us meaning."~ Stacy
