Loss is big. I could have tried to explain it to my five year old daughter. We could have talked about diseases and suffering. We could have talked statistics. But we didn't. I worried that the magic and wonder in her mind would be evicted to make room for it all. We visited
http://www.locksoflove.org/ instead. We talked about sick princesses and we talked hair. She saw images of love and joy. She saw pictures of sacrifice and the celebration of spirit. When it was done my Rapunzel loving princess was ready for a haircut. The child who flips, flops and screams over a trim wanted ten inches cut off for Locks of Love. Naturally, I think this is a sign of greatness. Perhaps, she will grow up to bring peace to a war torn country or cure life threatening diseases. I will dab my eyes in interviews and say things like "She always showed an extraordinary capacity for empathy". Today I praised her from her new blond bob down to her glittery pink toes. She endured my relentless praise, shrugged and said, " I just shared some hair with a bald girl". Fair enough.
"Rapunzel, Rapunzel show me your hair!"
(Like most mothers I think my kid is exceptionally bright, gifted and superior in all ways. Luckily Princess dishes out humility smack downs to keep me grounded.)
If you are not familiar with Locks for Love you can learn more at
www.locksforlove.org. You can snag information on how to donate ten inches or more of hair. Donations are used to create custom hair prosthetics for children with disorders, diseases and conditions such as
alopecia areata and cancer.
