“Mama, are you going to cry?” She asks, her small fingers splayed on my knees.
I’m up high, pressed into a swivel chair, hidden beneath a black cape. Its swoosh wrapping me like it did my girls just moments before.
This space is lovely. Shades of earth tones and black and the brightest of greens setting my scene.
I tug at the back of my hair, there’s not much to hold onto, and look into my girl’s hazel eyes. They match my own in every possible way – in color and fierce and stubborn and will and heart.
I peek into the mirror over her shoulder, over those eyes. ”No, I’m not going to cry.” I say, and tug once more for good measure. “It’s just hair.”
The girls and I donated our hair last week, twenty-six inches between us. Twenty six-inches ponytailed and cut and sent to be made into a wig for someone who needs it.
Later, I step away from my computer and into the sunlight and out shopping by myself. An indulgence.
I lean lazily against the counter, my fingers grazing a new peach shirt, the soft fabric pooling in ripples beneath my fingertips.
I run my those fingertips through my hair, surprised at how quickly I make it through.
“I love your hair!” The woman at the counter says, reaching for the peach between us.
She’s my height and her eyes are soft behind round gold-rimmed glasses. I covet the straight midnight black hair grazing her shoulders.
“Oh, thank you.” I start. “I’m still getting used to it.” I venture. “My girls and I donated our hair this morning.” I add.
She quiets, busies with tags and buttons and money.
I look down, wondering why I always feel the need to add, explain, fill space with chatter and noise and more information passed between strangers than is ever really necessary.
She hands me my bag. “It’s a great shirt.” She says.
I thank her, bite my lip, will myself to not say more, and turn on my heel to leave.
“My mom had cancer.” She gulps out, almost to my back. “She wore wigs like that. Thank you.” Her eyes soften, and slow my quick exit.
“Do you like your hair?” I ask Chloe a few days later.
She tugs at her locks, the way that I do, turning her head from side to side as she looks in the mirror. This is endearing.
(She also pulls out every headband and clip and braid that I place in her hair moments after leaving my sight. This, is not so endearing.)
“I’m getting used to it.” She answers.
“Are you sad?” I probe.
“I feel good that I did something good.” She says.
And that’s the rub.
I’m grateful for the chance to do something good, and to do it with my girls. Another indulgence.
To model that giving can be a little uncomfortable and require a sacrifice and take some getting used to.
That you never know whose story you’re braiding with.
And that the choices you make, impact others.
So I’m not going to cry over my hair. Of course I’m not. {But I am going to grow it right back out!}
- Inspired by my friends Julie, Missy, and Liz, the girls and I donated our hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths. Another choice, if your hair is even longer, is Locks of Love.
- Buy a book, fight cancer. Find out about Write for the Fight here.
Beautiful.
Inside and out.
Katarina and I did this last year. It is precious, this chance to give up something of ourselves to bless another.
Such a lovely thing to do my friend.
And I like your hair, it suits you. xo
A few years ago I went short with my hair. Real short. I wanted to donate my hair that was so very long at the time but I was short by an inch or two for Locks For Love. At the time, I didn’t know other organizations existed. I hate that my thick hair was chopped off and swept into the trash. Maybe next time.
It’s okay to mourn. It is a little loss. But they understand the bigger picture. And there you are, teaching them.
What a wonderful thing to do. You inspire me!! I love tangible ways to show the kids about giving to those who are less fortunate than we are, and this is a perfect example. xox
What a beautiful and generous thing you are doing, Galit! I bet your girls will remember this forever and you’ve raised them so good. And that cashier lady reconfirmed how you and your girls are doing wonders. You are all looks so beautiful
Oh, I love that you all did this together! Kelli did it several years ago, and it was such a great lesson for her. You never know whose life you are touching. xoxo
The first time I donated my hair, it was by accident. (I grow hair like some people grow backyard mushrooms. Fast.) I’d had long hair for fifteen years, Caroline was a baby, and you know how your hair falls out after pregnancy? I needed a trim. So the stylist said, “You could cut your hair to here” she tapped my shoulders “and still have plenty left, and you’d be able to donate to Locks of Love. (Which, while it does serve some cancer patients, mostly serves kids suffering from a genetic condition resulting in hair loss). I said, “sure”.
She cut it to my chin.
I was in shock for weeks. I hated my hair. All I could think about was regrowing it. But I took pictures with the baby, and slowly came to terms with how I looked. Eventually, I realized I liked how I looked. But I was still growing that hair back. I felt naked without it. Within a year, I had regained all the length I had lost.
I donated my hair every year until Sam was born. He was a puller. I had to grow over my earrings and keep my hair short. Now, I’m enamored of the short hair. And I feel like I’ve taken my turn.
Kudos to you and your girls!!
You did a beautiful thing! It’s all the more meaningful that you did this together with your daughters. You taught them such a wonderful lesson about love, giving and sacrifices! I think you look great with the short hair
You three have never looked more beautiful.
first, Your heart is SO BIG and Beautiful…and I am so proud of how you and the girls made something beautiful of your own hearts.
you know I’ve never donated my hair…my hair for better or worse has never been longer than my shoulders..even before my wedding. SO I’ve never known what it felt to go from VERY VERY long to short..I’ve known what it’s like to go from shoulder to chin length, but I have to admit (and you’ll believe me since my hair is very short..) that I like it. I put my fingers through it and feel pretty.
the love you gave back to someone (and the story of the clerk, oh the tears) is the true gift. You all look as GORGEOUS as you are. xo
You always have the best ideas, which always inspire! Thanks for sharing this, Galit. It warmed my heart this morning. Your daughters are lovely–just like their mama.
We were just talking about this last night. That after ballet recitals this year we would make an appointment for all of us that next morning. Love you. And your girlies. And your sexy short hair. xo
Wow, Galit! (do I start every comment like that?) This is just perfect. I’m so proud of you and this line:
“That you never know whose story you’re braiding with, whom you’re impacting”
“YOU NEVER KNOW WHOSE STORY YOU’RE BRAIDING WITH” lines of perfection. So, so true!!! You are so fueling my fire for a post I’ve been thinking about.
And the hair looks adorable on all 3 of you! Honest.
Great job, girl. I love how you all three match so sweetly. And a beautiful message, isn’t it?
This is such a time of change for you. I can read so much strength and love in every post. As always, I am amazed by your and your girls. What beautiful ladies with such beautiful hearts!
Thank you so much for sharing this. I’ve often wanted to donate my hair, but never known how to go about it. I’m thinking (since I’ve been growing my hair out and it’s halfway down my back now), that I will be doing some more research into it.
What a beautiful example for your daughters and it’s so cool that you all 3 got to do this together! My favorite part – “To model that giving can be a little uncomfortable and require a sacrifice and take some getting used to. That you never know whose story you’re braiding with. And that the choices you make, impact others.” Absolutely beautiful. You guys look great with your new hair cuts as well
One day I hope Abbey wants to do this. She doesn’t “get” it yet and cries if I even bring it up. I don’t want to force it, so we shall wait.
yes, it is just hair. but it’s still a sacrifice. Three beauties inside and out.
Well, now? I am all teary-eyed.
You never know, in Life, the way words that may perhaps graze some, magnify and pound into others…right into the open space. The one raw and twitching and needing a blanket.
Thank you for doing this. You are a wonderful person, and an amazing mother.
I am supporting someone very close to me who is battling for her Life right now, as I type this.
She wiped her first tangled, damp tufts of hair on her shower wall just the other day.
That is so great, and the new hairstyles rock. You and your girls are an awesome little team.
I love that you did this together! You all look wonderful with your hair shorter!
Oh I love that you all donated your hair together! I haven’t heard of the Pantene donation. 2 summers ago I donated my hair to Locks for Love. It was such a nice feeling to do something so simple to help others. Your hair looks beautiful and the girls’ hair does too!
You three girls look lovely with shorter hair. What a wonderful, beautiful thing to do.
This brought tears to my eyes.
Such a beautiful thing you did!
Your heart is truly the most generous I’ve ever known, and like with so many other lessons, I love the way you are passing your good to your children. Your hair is gorgeous, and your donation of hair and love is priceless.
Beautiful, you. xoxo
It’s wonderful that you were able share this moment with your daughters. Not only are you helping other women, but you’re also teaching your girls something very important. Beautiful photographs!
You all look amazing. And the sales clerk, she brought tears to my eyes. You never know who you meet and how you can inadvertently make a difference in their lives. Love what you all did.
You all look so beautiful! And I love what you did… my daughter did the same thing a few months ago too. I was proud of what she did for so many others… just as you and your girls did.
You look gorgeous! Your girls look gorgeous! What a beautiful gift you gave your girls and someone in need. Truly…you are the epitome of good in people.
This is such a beautiful gesture. I am so excited that your girls did it with you! My daughter donated hers when she was in first grade – I was so proud of her for that. Plus, you look gorgeous in your new hair!
This made me cry. You are all so beautiful no matter the length of your hair. It is the INSIDE that counts the most. Tell your girls how proud I am or better yet, let them read this. I am SO PROUD of all three of you!!! Galit, you are such an amazing example to your girls and to many. Love you.
I so so so love this. It reminds me I have some of my last ponytails to send in. Whoops. And my next appt to fit into my schedule.
You, your girls, all beautiful.
You totally blessed her socks off. This is beautiful–I love how you provided your girls with such a tangible lesson.
We’re all so personally tied to our hair, aren’t we? I mean, folicularly, we are. And from a vanity perspective, certainly. It’s a shroud on a day when you have a zit you want to cover up. Or a veil on a day when you just want to hide a little.
But letting it go and becoming vulnerable, letting go of the vanity and embracing a new beautiful you – that’s extremely brave too.
And you guys look amazing. You are inside, that’s clear, but you really all look beautiful.
Thanks for inspiring me.
Kiran
Love … so proud of you all.
Chelsea donated hers a couple of months ago and I totally forgot to photo – useless right?
Simply beautiful, just like you & your girls. I positively adore how you set such an amazing example for your daughters, and that this is something that the three of you did together. Thank you for sharing! It truly made my night to read this. xo
You and your daughters are just awesome. That’s all.
Oh, you all look gorgeous. Your heart never fails to hold mine up and challenge me to be better.
This line – To model that giving can be a little uncomfortable and require a sacrifice and take some getting used to. – YES, exactly.
It can be. Teaching our kids lessons about what a “right” thing to do is (even when it’s not very comfortable) is a hard job of parenting.
You look amazing. All three of you ARE amazing for doing this! And I’m so flattered that you linked to my experience.
I have been thinking of donating my hair to Locks of love, since it’s the longest it has ever been and I never use chemical dyes (which are the two requirements I am aware of.) Thank you for the inspiration! I am going to look for the local chapter.
I have only one thing to say: “Bravo”! You and your girls rock!
What a touching post, Galit! You guys of course did a great thing, but I also have to tell you, you all look FABULOUS! I really love it that length. Goes with the fresh new muscles too!
An another note in this post, what you said here . . . “wondering why I always feel the need to add, explain, fill space with chatter and noise and more information passed between strangers than is ever really necessary.” Um, story of my life!!!! You said it so well. I feel that way all the time.
You KNOW KNOW KNOW I love this.
From the tips of my hair right down to my bones.
It’s so very good. So.
You all look so beautiful with your short hair, and you know those women appreciate it so much.
I donate my hair about every 2.5- 3 years to Locks of Love. It takes that long to grow out a healthy 10 inches. I’ve done this for the last 13 years.
I love how you brought your children into as well. Perhaps someday my daughter will be able to as well, but at age three, her hair is still fine, and less than that of most two-year-olds.
As always, I love the way you tell the story.
thanks for visiting my blog
and bless you for doing this
Ive thought about doing this for ages myself
gonna look into again
thanks for the inspiration
The short cut frames your face just beautifully!
And what a simple way to teach your girls how to care about others. My almost 8 year old has been asking me about getting her hair cut (or at least trimmed – as she says) for ages. I might take her and suggest she donate her hair. Thanks for reminding me about this wonderful cause!
This is so awesome, Galit. You and your girls did a great thing.
Beautiful, inspirational piece, Galit. And I love all your haircuts!
You guys look amazing. And even better, I can tell you FEEL amazing! And you should. I don’t have that kind of grow-out-cut-and-donate hair or I would totally do it too. I’m sure it will grow out in no time!
It’s such a good thing to do with your kids. Your hair looks great! My mom had cancer too. Thank you for a ray of sunshine in someone’s darkest hours.
I think you all look amazing, and your hair looks so healthy! Good for you for doing this with your girls.
All three of you are so beautiful, inside and out.
I am growing my hair for the first time in my entire adult life and now you have inspired me towards a goal. (Do they take gray?) I’m pretty sure I can talk my younger daughter into joining me – the teenager? not so sure
You guys look amazing!
What a beautiful post and an amazing wonderful and generous way to give of yourself and your children! I can relate as I have very long hair and can imagine the awkward way to adapt to such a change. Your writing is so lovely and your words are brilliantly pieced together to paint the image of each scene and the emotion behind them. Such great work!
Glad I found you!!!!
What an awesome gift. I love that you and your daughters did this together. Great cuts!
You and your girls have just brought me to tears. So beautiful you are…in AND out.
P.S. I have cried over my haircut before.
xo
I donated fourteen inches to Locks of Love once. It was wonderful. You and your girls look awesome!
Wow, you amaze me. Such a kind and generous act. I love your new hair cuts
One word: amazing.
All three of you look gorgeous with your new bobs! Love!
And the gesture? What you did and what that meant? Is huge. And so…….Galit.
You’re a good woman and you are raising two more.
xxx