Donating Hair to Locks of Love

Donating Hair to Locks of Love

As you may already know, I don’t rush into things. I ponder, I consider, I think, think, think, and then think some more. My husband finds this process amusing and frustrating all at the same time.

So, why did I chop off 10″ of my hair? I decided someone could use it more than me.

I Chopped Off My Hair and Donated it to Locks of Love

THIS is my year of service. This is the year I let go of stupid selfish tendencies. This is the year I make a conscious effort to radically love. It’s why I gave a stranger a ride and lived to tell the tale! I received such wonderful emails after that one, I decided to continue to document my journey.

I’m not sure where the idea came from. I was just going about my day when the thought popped into my head that I could donate my hair.

While I’m not exactly vain about my hair, it did get quite long, and that seemed like quite a lot to get rid of all at once! It’s something I was definitely going to really notice. But I wanted to know more.

What is Locks of Love?

Locks of Love is a nonprofit organization that gets wigs to kids that have a long term hair loss, usually as a result of  alopecia areata, a disorder which has no known cause and no known cure.

These wigs help these kids feel a little more like their old selves.

Since the chop, I’ve had more than a few people come up to me and say that they “couldn’t do that.” My hair stylist asked if I was going to tear up when she started cutting. Not so very long ago I had the occasional nightmare about my hair getting cut super short on accident. So what changed?

I think it’s something inside. I haven’t missed the 10″one single bit and I am not sure that that’s normal! Or, maybe it is. I didn’t do it to have a “new look” (although that is certainly an after-effect!). I did it for something else, for someONE else.

What excuse did I have to hang on to this big hank of hair when there are kids who NEED it!

Radical Love

After considering it and thinking about it, I came to the conclusion that even if it looked terrible…it is just hair. Fortunately, hair grows back. Even more fortunate, mine grows back pretty fast! While I was under no illusions that I would regain 10″ of hair back in a week, I also knew that this was something I didn’t want to ignore.

I talked it over with my husband to see if he had any strong feelings about it. He didn’t–but he was surprised when he came home and I’d had it chopped off! While it may take me awhile to come to a big decision, once I make it, I move fast!

It might seem like a such a minor thing and, really, it is but at the same time, it was MINE, it took a long time to get to that point, and now I am going to pass it on! I sure do hope it cooperates more for its next owner!

Acts of Service

Kidding aside, not every act of service has to be big and bold. This time? It was just hair. The time before? It was giving a ride to a stranger. Both have their merits and show that radical love I’m working towards but they achieve it in different ways.

Still, I’m hoping that it is just another way to “pass it on” and another example for anyone else working towards making a difference. You know I love hearing about what you are achieving, too! After the last post, and all the emails, I know I am not alone. You CAN do this!

Small Towns: Destinations, not Drive-Thrus! I’m Jessica Nunemaker and THIS is little Indiana!

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