sharing locks.

this last week i lost...

2 lbs.
14 inches.

of hair. (wish i could say it was of fat. ;)

i chopped my hair for someone else to have some.

i had been growing my hair out since last time i cut it to donate (about 2 1/2 years ago). i've had a few hair cuts, trims, layers and bangs since then, but for the most part, knew as soon as i donated it last time, i wanted to it again. there are several really great organizations that use donated ponytails of hair to make real hair wigs for people battling diseases or conditions and consequently don't have any. i donated to Wigs for Kids last time, making wigs for kids, hence the name. ;) this time i am choosing to donate to Pantene Pro V giving wigs to women battling cancer.

http://www.pantene.com/en-US/beautiful_lengths.jspx

i have been wanting to go for the "chop" since we moved here to Japan, but never found a salon i felt 100% about. a little scarier being in a country when you cant speak the language, wondering if they know how to cut a Westerner's hair, and if a picture really will be "worth a thousand words", knowing that the picture you printed off may be the only way to communicate to them how you want it to look. *gulp* Chibe did a great job, no regrets! i still have hair! :)

was recommended by a friend, here on base, to go to Wantanabe-Hair Salon in Harajuku, the middle of Tokyo. they specialize in "Western hair" (didnt know that was something you could specialize in). they spoke enough English to communicate and get the job done. my sweet friend, Chelsea, came with me for moral support and to document the transformation. :) thanks, Chels!

below you'll find the storyline...i've packaged it up and plan to send it off tomorrow. i had a moment as i was putting it into the bubble envelope and sealing it. i'll be the first to admit it was silly and i got way to sentimental...it's hair! but it wasn't because i was sad that my hair was cut or that i'd never see it again. this pony has the potential to change another woman's life. hair is a big deal for women. it's how we view ourselves, how we view one another and right or wrong it has a huge role in our self image and self confidence. i don't know what it's like to lose all my hair, but have had women close to me who have. i can only imagine the blow of hair loss as well as all the many other things my mind and body would be going through as i were battling something as serious and brutal as cancer. 60% of women say hair loss is the thing they fear the most when they begin chemo. i would too.

i stopped for a moment to think about the woman that may receive my hair on her wig. where does she live? is she married? does she have kids? is she young? is she old? is she recovered? is she still fighting? does she even know she has cancer yet? i cried (told you i got ridiculous) and prayed for this woman i don't know, that this hair would be life changing for her. may it give her confidence and a little happiness in the midst of a really hard season. may she know she is thought of, loved and supported. i'll never meet her or see her face, but i hope she knows these locks were given out of a deep hope and desire for life to be new, fresh, full and normal once again. and if a little hair helps in that, then i'll keep growing.

think about growing a little yourself...afterall, "it's just hair". it'll grow back. ;)



Chibe had to divide it into 9 ponies in order to cut w/ her scissors. and even then she had to do a little "sawing" action.







glad i got my hair cut in the "real world".


this little guy was at home to greet me and my new hair cut.








go get her, little pony.