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.
16 comments:
Sharing is just as good as peace treaties and miracle cures. Great post
learning acts of kindness at such a young age-BRAVO mom!
Locks of Love is a great cause and having to deal with a family member with cancer and getting to know all the other patients going through chemo-just know locks of love brings them much joy
she is precious
Wow! I love this! As a high-school teacher, sometimes I wish teens showed this much empathy. She's not my kid, but I'd agree. She's very wise beyond her years!
WOW! what a sweetie heart she is. :) you really SHOULD be proud.
I donated a year ago....that a great feeling.
my mother, a hairdresser for 40 years, has ALWAYS donated long hair cuts to this organization...
Such a wonderful cause! You should SEE some of the wigs and things they do in person...life changing.
Your daughter is an angel...Brava!
Kudos to you, mom! Such a big lesson for such a little girl. Maybe she isn't so little...
She is precious!
she is gorgeous!
just stoppimg by from SITS to say hi; hope you'll do the same!
So cool ! I donated to them a few years ago and had actually forgotten about it till now. My daughter has been begging for me to bob her hair off again. Maybe this is what we will do ! Thanks for sharing !
What a wonderful gift. My oldest has donated her hair twice. Makes a mom proud.
It's a very good thing to do, donating your hair. (I wish I had enough left to do so.) For some added inspiration, check out this short video -- ahamoment.com/pg/moments/view/1277 -- about the aha moment of one woman, facing cancer herself, who decided to donate her own hair. I think you'll enjoy it.
All the best,
jack@ahamoment.com
Wow! What a sweet, generous girl!
What a sweet girl and a valuable lesson you have taught her.
The way we are going, Izzy will never have 10 inches of hair!
Big 'ol WOW!
My daughter did this more than a year ago, and immediately decided to grow it out so she could do it again. She is thrilled to be able to help another kid just by keeping nice hair.
This brought tears to my eyes. What a precious child you have. But, I also say this speaks volumes about her mother as well.
Thank you both for your shining examples.
My daughter did this almost 2 years ago, and is almost ready for round 2. What a great way for kids to help other kids!
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