Wednesday, September 09, 2009

It's just hair...

Most of you know that I lost my mom to cancer 6 and a half years ago.




Immediately after we found it they started chemo since it was already in stage 4. I remember her going to get her hair cut short so that the transition from her normal hair to no hair would go easily & not be quite as messy.




She was so brave.




She didn't shed a tear as Robin cut her hair super short, GI Jane style. After was finished Ginger, mom's best friend, sat down in the chair to have her hair cut. Mom was naive and thought Ginger had scheduled an appointment for a trim.
(Mom was a little dense.. I got it honestly)



As soon as mom realized that Ginger was cutting her hair GI Jane style too.. the tears began to flow. After Ginger was done another good friend, Kim sat down and had her hair cut just as short. Mom was honored that her friends would sacrifice their hair right along with hers. I think it gave her even more ambition to fight the cancer.. knowing that so many people loved her enough to chop off something as personal as their own hair.



Fast forward a few weeks later as Greg (my bro) and I stood outside and pulled my mom's short hair out of her scalp. She giggled, said it kind tickled and told us,



"It's just hair, right? It will grow back."




Thinking back to my mom's awesome attitude about her cancer and the ability for her friends to give up their hair so easily has inspired me three times. It's inspired me to grow out, cut and donate my own hair... this is my third time. Other people fighting cancer can use my hair from Locks of Love for a wig.. I know mom LOVED being able to stick on a wig and instantly be a red head. =)



So what did I do today?



I donated 10 inches of hair for my mom.




This is when I always get a bit scared!


And then I cry. Every time.



Cry because it takes me over 2 years to grow it as long as it needs to be to get 10".


Cry because I'm a tad bit attached to my hair.


Cry because I'm kissing my oh-so-easy-I-have-two-kids pony tail goodbye.

Cry because I miss mom.

Cry because I can hear her say,
"It's just hair..."

And then I got some fun new color...


And smiled for the after picture.


A fun little bob. =)

It's so much more than me donating my hair.
It's a tribute to my mom.
I like to think she's peering down from above watching me chop my hair off. I know she'd say, "Oh Darce.. your hair is so pretty!" Just like she said the first time I donated it back in college.


And if she were here, I would remind her...


"It's just hair mom."

***
The girls went along.. Joya just sat and looked cute and Adie kept asking,
"What are you doing?"


I hope my girls and I will be as close as mom and I were.

I try so hard to tell them about grandma Linda and what an awesome, awesome woman she was. Hopefully my donating my hair will give them a little glimpse of how much mom influenced me.

And someday maybe the three of us can donate our hair together.

Love you mom!

39 comments:

kristina proffitt said...

What a beautiful tribute to your Mom, Darcy.
I am crying here!
LOVE your new hair cut! You are beautiful no matter what - inside AND out. Your Mom is proud of you and I am with you on the "it's just hair." I've donated my hair 3 times to Locks of Love. :) BIG hugs today!

Shelly said...

OH MY GOODNESS!!! First of all, I've told you before I can never read you write about your mom without crying and secondly, I LOVE YOUR HAIR! It's SO different than what I've ever seen you with. Not that you weren't stylish before, but it is super hip! What a neat thing! I just love everything it represents...and you look like a refreshed hot mama!

Jill H said...

you are awesome Darcy, and your new hairdo is beautiful!!

Kirsten said...

What a great story ... and how amazing does your hair look?!

amber said...

What an awesome tribute to your mom...and your hair is soooooo cute like that! Love your new cut! :)

Elaine said...

Beautiful in so many ways Darcy! Love the new haircut. I've only donated once and I felt the same way. I actually called Erin the day of and said that I wanted to post-pone but of course she didn't let me. =) Makes me want to do it again.

Rita Weiss said...

oh (((Darcy))) You have me in tears! What a wonderful story and tribute to your Mom. Just love it... and THAT HAIRCUT!!! Girl, you got it going on. LOVE IT! xoxox

Unknown said...

Beautiful, inside and out. :) KA sent me over here.

e said...

gosh you are wonderful.
wonderful and GORGEOUS.
xxxxe

Niki said...

I can't believe it's been 2 years alrady since the last time!! TIME FLIES!! I love your new do and I get teary-eyed everytime you talk about this story!! You're looking super cute, as always! Love ya!

megan said...

This post made me tear up. What a sweet, sweet tribute to your mom. Your short hair looks fabulous!

And, I guess I've been reading your blog for quite some time since I remember the last time you did it!

Unknown said...

Yes, I had tears welling up in my eyes over your story. I was praying for you all day :) From your first pic, I thought how cute! Then I saw the side shot. You went short!!!! I can't wait to see it in person. I love your commitment to doing this. I'm proud of you. Hugs Darce!!

Linz said...

Thanks for the tear jerker of the day....loved that post though!! And giiirl I think your cut is even cooler since it looks like you and I are sporting the same hair-do!! Saaawweeet!

shiloh said...

You are such an amazing woman Darcy! What a wonderful thing to do, you're new style looks great...I've never seen you with your hair like this, but you look awesome:) Everytime you write about your mom I tear up because your love for her is just so huge!

Amy and Scott said...

Darcy - Lindy is looking down on you with so much love because of the amazing woman (inside and out) that you are today! You are such a wonderful example to your girls! I'm sure that, through you, they will learn what a great woman your mom was and they'll love her as much as you do! :)

Amy

Kat said...

this makes me cry each time i read that you do it! i guess only one other time. but i think its so awesome, and such a beautiful tribute to your mom. and you have the BEST hair to donate! i love your new bob, it looks so cute!

Laura Fiore said...

I'm crying here too Darcy...such a sweet tribute to your mom and a blessing to whomever receives your Locks of Love. It is just hair, but it's also an awesome gift from your heart to theirs.

sarah said...

beautiful tribute and stunning haircut to boot :)

Monica said...

Lovely. Your hair looks great! My daughter (age 6) donated her hair in April and is growing it out again for the same purpose. I'm thinking about joining her this time.

Andrew and Denise said...

LAMY! that is all I can say becuase I am crying so hard-man I miss her and you!

ashley said...

hi! great post and tribute!!!! the new haircut looks great! i have to ask though....i've often thought of growing my hair out to donate, but i thought you couldn't do it if you have color in your hair? is this true? that's been the only thing keeping me from doing it!

Milissa said...

Well ....

as I wipe the tears away .... ok I think I can type now ... Darce .. you are the most beautiful person I know ... I am so honored to know you and love what you've done. AND .... I love love love your hair!

Unknown said...

What a wonderful tribute to your mother and such a gorgeous cut and color! I donated in May and am already growing it out to donate again...although I didn't have any special reason, it still feels great to be able to do something for someone else.

Emily said...

Thanks for sharing that Darcy. There are still tears in my eyes! What a great tribute to your mom. Your new hair looks awesome :)

Hannah said...

I'm crying here as well Darcy...That is fantastic that you brought the girls with you for this tribute. I am honored that you shared such a personal moment with us!!!

Kimberly said...

First off...Love the hair.

Second.......this takes me back to summer 2008 when Ali was rapidly getting ready for her transition to Heaven. I am the same way about my hair. It hit right at my tailbone and pony tails were easier than anything else. I ended up chopping off 18 inches. It was liberating. When Ali found out she giggled. Totally worth her smile. Even if it was short lived. It left me with one more precious memory of her.

Third....I have since chopped it again. Now it is super short. I like your "GI JANE" reference. Not that short ontop. But that short in the back. To help my daughter tansition to her new haircut as we will be getting her hair shaved for her cranio/facial surgery. I figure it is better to let the professional do it not the doc. IT really helps with transition like you said and when you have others willing to sign up to do it as well, one can be liften out of that sadness.

Way to go for you. Turning a negative into a positive. What a gift.

I am sure your mom is still watching and smiles with approval. She must have been....more like IS one remarkable lady.

Dina said...

I loved everything about this post!

Andrea Ancich said...

oh wow... darcy....
you are amazing....
your hair is totally cute (both long and short)....
i sit here in tears like most of the readers... knowing that all of us have been touched by this nasty cancer thing...
your mom is definitely looking down on you and smiling....
hugs!

Rene said...

This is so cool that your doing this. Alyssa and i our both growing are hair out to donate in memory of Alison. I know for me it will be hard just because it's for Ali. Alyssa can't wait she wants a little boy or girl to have her hair. Alyssa's hair is almost ready mine will tale a little longer.

Anonymous said...

Darcy- What an amazing thing that you are doing. Coming from someone who knows it is a wonderful thing to be able to get one of those wigs. You are truly a beautiful person inside and out.
Mindy

Anonymous said...

You are such a great mom, Darcy. Your little girlies were there to witness not only your wonderful tribute to your mom, but also your generosity and selflessness. They're little right now, but one day they too will be talking about what an awesome woman their momma is.

And your new haircut is great. You look beautiful!

Have a blessed day!

Jo said...

Darcy,

Look at all the wonderful comments you have received! :) It shows how much a wonderful woman you are and how much your mother reflected on you! You are such a strong woman and do such a great job at what your doing! Keep your head up! I love the hair style you chose, what a great length for you, especially having two girls!!!!!

Muriel said...

Such a touching triibute. I love the new hair do. The girls are also getting so big and are just too cute.

Nick and Jill Juday said...

Thats so special Darcy. Thanks so much for sharing a piece of your mom. :)

Zora Williams said...

Darcy ~ you are just wonderful and your babies are darling. I hope you don't mind me reading your blogs ~ Greg posted the link and I've been reading it ever since. You and Denise have such a talent ~ your Mom is not only proud of you three but you know she's got her arms wrapped around you all tightly... zora

Jewel said...

Oh Darce, I echo everything that the previous 34 comments said!!! I have to chuckle...you know that I saw you yesterday @ MOTTTs & told ya that I liked your hair...not even have read this post yet. And then when I read the post I was like "oh..."

rev said...

your mom must be so proud of you, above in heaven, you are one cool chica doing this, tears in my eyes, but i love you doing it. and your new hairdo looks super uber hip cool. love it!!

lisa dickinson said...

ah, you totally have me tearing up here too! you are such a brave girl :) and i know you made your momma proud. LOVE the new hair - it's absolutely fabulous!

teresa said...

First time reading your blog. Having your hair cut for Locks of Love is a lovely tribute to your Mom! And not just once, but three times!!! Your Mom raised a lovely daughter .... and now you are raising daughters too. God bless you.