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!