Reflections From a Country Girl

Before you get too carried away with the title of this reflection, ponder this. 

For years – since my early 20s – I have put color on my very thick hair.  I spotted my first gray hair when I was 19 and pulled it out quickly.  Before long my hair began getting a gray streak in it – much like that of a skunk. It didn’t take long before my vanity took over and I was determined not to be what many call “prematurely gray”.   

I found a color I liked and went faithfully to a hairdresser on a regular basis.  After that, I decided to start coloring it myself with the non permanent, peroxide free color one can buy over the counter.  I have colored my own hair ever since. 

For years I have enjoyed my auburn hair color and have received many compliments on it.  Whether they knew it was color or not I don’t know but since me vanity was intact it was of little consequence.  

It’s been over three months since I came to Houston for Leukemia treatment.  I lost much of my hair during the first chemotherapy.  The first month I was bed ridden. The hair that was left was fairly long when I got here and though they have a beauty shop here at the hospital, you had to go there and be able to sit up for them to take you in as a client – something I was unable to do. One day I asked Pierce and a visiting friend if they would simply cut my hair three inches from my scull all the way around.  They did a great job and Pierce lovingly put the cut off hair in a ziplock bag. 

The other day I decided to go to that beauty shop on my way from several outpatient appointments and get my hair cut down to the gray.  I knew, sooner or later, what I have left will fall out and it was beginning to show through the auburn.  I even thought about getting a buzz cut…I just was not quite sure.  My hairdresser friend, Russell, has told me for years I would be beautiful with white hair and why didn’t I go ahead and let it grow out?   Of course, I said it was a vanity thing. 

When I got to the beauty shop I told the hairdresser what I was thinking and she could tell I was upset to lose my auburn hair.  She did a good job of shaping it up and still having some bangs on the front.  I just could not let myself go down to just the gray…just not yet.  I left with a great cut and we put the cutest headband on that accentuated the cut. I felt better.  

As I watch that gray getting more and more noticeable I decided to ask the doctor if I could color my hair.  The answer was no because the chemicals could interact with the meds I was I taking through the roots.

 

My one last attempt at vanity was squashed. 

So, my hair will continue to grow grey until chemo takes it all.  I know I can get a wig and I love wearing scarves and headbands in coordinating colors with my clothes.  

I have adjusted my mind and am reminded that – if I feel good that day – I am blessed even more than I could imagine.  All of a sudden, things are not as important as they once were.  

My wish for you today is that you savor your days and don’t let vanity get in your way too much.  There are things in life that are much more important.  

~ Joellen

PS:  I am noticing more beautiful women with white hair these days…maybe Russell is right.   

This entry was posted on Sunday, August 30th, 2009 at 12:28:pm and is filed under Humor, Life & Events, Making wise choices, personal challenges. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.