Repeatedly I tell myself I will NOT write another post about such confounded things as cancers and other depressing stuff. Lord knows there’re enough depressing things in the news everyday!
Today though, as I was browsing about the web looking for still more inexpensive solutions to problems associated with being hairless, that of my head either being too cold or too warm and not many places in between, I found some wise words that pleased me so much I wanted to share with as many people as I can possibly reach.
I realize I continue to focus far too much about the state of my bald head; at the same time it feels like it’s taking forever to re-grow hair after chemotherapy. At an online source (see below) I was reminded of something I learned long ago, and occasionally need to re-remember. It doesn’t matter what kind of garbage gets thrown at you during a lifetime, it’s how you react to it that counts.
* * * * * * *
There once was a woman who woke up one morning
looked in the mirror,
and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.
“Well,” she said, “I think I’ll braid my hair today.
So she did, and she had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up,
looked in the mirror,
and noticed she had only two hairs on her head.
“Hmmmm,” she said,
“I think I’ll part my hair down the middle today.”
So she did, and she had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up,
looked in the mirror and noticed
that she had only one hair on her head.
“Well,” she said, “today I’m going
to wear my hair in a ponytail.”
So she did, and she had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up,
looked in the mirror and noticed
that there wasn’t a single hair on her head.
“YAY!” she exclaimed.
“I don’t have to fix my hair today!”
Attitude is everything.
And another thing by the same author (unknown):
Be kinder than necessary
because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly . . .
Life isn’t about waiting for the storms to pass . . .
It’s about learning to dance in the rain.
I found these wonderful little tidbits from Kathy at www.hats2cover.com
My Wintersong 
I love the last line especially since it is pouring down rain yet again here – severe thunderstorms. Have hubby massage your head a little maybe that will jump start those follicles and get them going?
Rachel, believe it or not I have been massaging my own head when I’m sitting around watching TV. I even watch Rogaine commercials with a fair amount of interest! 😛
Two great poems to print and keep. Thank you Alice.
I’m glad you enjoyed them. I knew there were others who would.
Alice-
handling hair loss with grace and humor is what will get you through and before you know it you’ll be styling your hair once again and wishing you had it so easy as when it wasn’t there! I printed the first little story in my Facebook today – I loved that! Thank you for sharing it!
You can’t know, Koryn, how many times a day I think of you and all you went through. My “trip” was so short compared to yours. And your hair story gives me assurance, as you look wonderful.
Alice…….I’ve been busy working on my book 3, but I get your posts sent right to my email, so I’ve been keeping up with you!
I tell you what…….YOUR attitude should be bottled and given to SO many people, because it’s SUPERB!
When it comes to the hair thing, or lack thereof……I just can’t give you enough credit for such a superior attitude. Seriously. Come ON, lets face it….our hair IS important to us, dammit! No, it certainly does NOT define WHO we are, as you are proving….and yeah, it might be a vanity thing, but I think most women share it and I don’t want to even think about possibly losing my hair. But your attitude about the loss of your own hair is amazing and I say BRAVO TO YOU!
LOVED the thing you shared here….that was great! And I’m SOOO happy to see that you seem to be coming through the chemo with minimal side effects. Please know I think of you a lot and I DO read all your posts….and hubby’s too. He took a vacation, I see…lol All the best to both of you.
I know how busy you are, Terri, were you ever any other way? Some people are just born with enthusiasm and talent and the whole nine yards. I haven’t pre-ordered #2 yet but plan to soon. Yes, Hubby’s taking a vacation, if you can call planting flower gardens for me a vacation. He’s out there doing it right now! Lucky me.
I’ve read that before and loved it. So, once again, you’ve given me a smile for this evening.
As usual, you’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Thanks Colleen. You must have wonderful flowers popping up now. I wish you could see our spring mix on the mountainside here. That’s why I try not to complain too much about all the rain we’ve gotten. Think healthy and enjoy those pancakes!
Here’s a story about lost hair, proving that one person’s loss is another’s gain. A co-worker had her hair cut last week. The beautician swept up her hair and put it, along with the hair of the other customers, in a bag. When questioned, the beautician said hair from all over the country is being shipped to the Gulf Coast and being used to absorb oil from the BP spill. Apparently, human hair is highly absorbent. Too bad that the timing for your hair loss is off by a month or so. Your fine locks could be helping thousands of people and animals.
you are a hopeless optimist. yet best wishes for a long happy life.
So nice to hear from you Dr. N! Yes, I do try, but we all forget sometimes, no? Hope your recent injuries are healing nicely.
Keep talking about your hair, we love it. And we love you.
We keep watching the white fuzz grow longer and Hubby remarked today as I was eating lunch bald (my cap fell off when I scratched my itchy head) that the scalp was looking darker as though the shadowy beginnings of new hair. Maybe it means something. Cross your fingers!
Alice,
I met the mother of an 11-year-old girl who was diagnosed with cancer at 3. She showed me adorable pictures of her little bald head and then current pix of her daughter’s beautiful, golden brown, thick braids. The girl feels that was her reward for surviving Chemo!
I hope you get your reward soon!
I also wanted to send you the link to another blog I’m hosting. It’s my writing blog and I’m trying to find people like you and your friend Terri who love to write and hope to or have published. I wanted to set up a support network for “mature” writers, but I’m realizing that such writers usually don’t blog.
Still the site helps me learn more about the craft and maybe it will catch someone’s fancy.
Best wishes to you.