Ode To Hair

Today has been a great day.  Since I decided not to "worry", I've been much more relaxed and happy.  We had a spontaneous dinner with our friends tonight.  She didn't know what to cook, I didn't know what to cook, so we put together what we had and ate a great dinner!  Thanks Esther and fam for coming over tonight!  We also had a somewhat spontaneous ice cream sundae party (I decided to do it yesterday!) for a few people that have helped us over the last few weeks.  We'll need to have more "thank you" parties because we didn't come close to getting everyone here that has helped us!  It was awesome to sit and talk to people and soak in good, happy vibes from everyone.  Everything is going to go just fine tomorrow, I have no doubt.

A friend in the ward brought me over a homemade lap quilt made by someone that wanted to remain anonymous.  It is a bright, happy pink and green with frogs.  It is awesome and I love it!  I'll take it to every treatment.  I've been told by others that bringing a blanket is a good idea, there's something about the chemo infusion that makes you cold.  So, thank you to whoever thought to do this!  I really appreciate it!

I got an email today from one of my old neighborhood friends that moved away a few years ago.  She told me that when I was getting to the point of having to shave my head, she would cut her hair really short.  So, she did!  And here is her picture!

Is that cute or what!!?  Colleen, I think you are awesome for going through with this, even though I always knew you would!  (((hugs)))  She told me that she wasn't sure she could shave it all off, but she could get it cut really short.  Look how much came off!  Her hair is also going to Locks of Love!  AWESOME!

My friend, Camille, sent me this poem, "Ode To Hair" that was written by one of her friends when she was having to shave her head a little over a year ago.  It's a long poem, so I may condense it a little, but it has a great message!  Camille also had breast cancer and has been a real support to me.  Thanks Camille!  I'm shaving my head tomorrow night at 8 p.m., so stay tuned for the "after" picture.  I might shed a tear or two, but it's going to be a party anyway!  So, here is the poem:

Ode To Hair

When hair was created,

Do you think our Father really knew,

That women would go crazy . . .

No matter what, or where, or who?

It's the topic of conversation

From the moment we are born,

"Does he or she have hair?" they ask,

"Or do they look forlorn?"

We've straightened it on ironing rods,

We've rolled it over cans,

We've teased and sprayed and ratted it,

And harnessed it in bands.

We cut it short or let it grow,

We curl and color and spike,

We highlight, shampoo and condition,

And hate those whose hair we like!

If it's straight - we want it curly,

If it's curly - we want it straight,

If it's wet - we must blow dry it,

Too dry - and it's the stuff we hate.

Barrettes, headbands and scrunchies,

Combs, clips, tiaras and crowns,

Just having a bad hair day

is guaranteed to get us down!

There are those 'special few' who get a break,

from all this 'hair gone mad',

They're allowed a brief holiday,

And for this . . . they could be glad.

Try not to think it's awful,

Be grateful for the needed rest,

"Hair today - gone tomorrow",

May actually not be a test!

It could be the Lord is saying:

"You've got plenty on your plate,

I'm giving you one less thing to worry about,

See . . . your goodness made you great!"

For those of us who love you,

We see no beauty lost,

Instead . . . we are reminded,

That your worth transcends all cost!