It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, but never really thought I would. Then, maybe a year and a half ago, I began growing it out…casually, not sure I’d really go the distance.
I’ve loved it long, had fun putting it up in clips and braids. But, the last couple of months seemed to crawl by. I was pretty much over it, and counting the days till today’s cut. Interestingly, I woke up today feeling really crabby and just on edge. I was so nervous! But, once I got comfy in the chair, I was ready!
I brought along a famed photographer (and her assistant) to document the process.
Donna (my stylist friend) separated my highlighted hair and plopped it on top of my head. The program we used through Pant*ene doesn’t accept processed hair. Thankfully, my highlights are only on the very top layer. Here, she’s dividing the hair into individual pony tails. I promise I wasn’t as nervous as I look. Well, maybe a tiny bit.
4 ponies, ready to be snipped. Deep breath…
I swear, each one took about a minute to slowly cut off! Well, it felt like it anyway.
And, then she was done. 4, 8 inch ponies ready to be sent to the Beautiful Length*s program!
After a wash, cut, and style :) It’s honestly not as short as I thought it would be and I love the cut. It’s taking some getting used to…it feels so light!
Donna surprised me when she told me there was no charge…standard procedure for her when someone donates. Sweet :)
I’m so thankful I did this, and I pray that my hair is a blessing to someone in the future…what a privilege it is to do something so simple and hopefully make a big impact on someone else’s life.
June 2nd, 2012 at 12:20 am
Donna,
You look absolutely lovely (but then, that’s not really news) … and I personally want to thank you for donating your hair! In my volunteer activity, I see so many people who’ve lost theirs due to chemo, and some wear hats or scarves or wigs, or go “as is” … but that loss is such a reminder of what they are going through. Mine grows so slowly that I doubt I could grow it long enough to donate (plus if it had to be non-processed, I’d be donating silvery-white hair). I have actually considered having my head shaved with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation charity. Thank you again for such a special gift.
You may have seen my 17-year-old friend, Valerie, on my FB page; most of the winter she wore a fuzzy white hat, but now that the weather is warm she sports her bald head most of the time. There are pictures on the “Team Valerie King” page.
Oh, by the way, you have a pretty good photographer in your house!
June 2nd, 2012 at 12:48 am
I am so proud of you for doing this for cancer patients and for those patients that have alopecia (sp.?) as one of the little girls in my church has. It’s the disease where all the hair falls out and won’t grow back.
I have lost so many loved ones to cancer that it has truly made me hate this disease. Three of my grandparents died from cancer, then my Mom, my sister, my brother-in-law, two of my best friends and numerous others. I also have got survivors in the family and for that I am truly thankful.
I always prayed that a cure for cancer would be found in my lifetime, but now just want one found in my children and grandchildren’s lifetimes.
Jackie actually did buy a wig made from real hair and she wore it some of the time. It was when Momma lost her hair that I saw first hand just what kind of link women have with their hair. I wrote Momma a poem about her “Halo of hair”.
You were beautiful with the long hair and you are even more beautiful now with the shorter hair because of the glowing smile on your face just knowing that you did such a wonderful thing.
June 2nd, 2012 at 7:40 am
What a sweet wonderful thing to do. Your new style looks beautiful!
June 2nd, 2012 at 9:29 am
You look very sophisticated with the new haircut and it will be so much easier to take care of this summer. I didn’t realize you were growing your hair out for this reason but it was a wonderful thing for you to do.
June 2nd, 2012 at 3:41 pm
Well, everything I want to say has already been said above. Just when I think you can’t do anymore things to make us proud, you go and do something else, and yes, we’re also so proud of you for donating 8 inches (wow!) of your hair for a very worthy cause. That has just got to be a warm and fuzzy feeling, right?
Abbey, your photography is exceptional and you captured every snip….!!
Now, for the final photo….the new cut…the new you!!! We absolutely LOVE it!!!! It frames your face so well, and it look very “chic”!!! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it, now that the warmer weather is here!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
June 4th, 2012 at 11:12 am
You know me I love the short hair cut look, Your new short cut is probably my longest ever,
It looks really great. What a blessing your hair will be to someone.
June 6th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
Way to go Donna,you surely made some one very happy!! You look amazing,shorter hair is so much easier to handle.