Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

I took my camera to work today and asked one of my co-workers to take a picture of my hair from the back. I want a record of it. I came to work wearing my braid – when is it not braided - but the consensus was that the picture should be of it loose. Too loose, Lautrec – oh, boo.

I have worn my hair long for twenty five years. In Reno, only my two oldest children, one friend and an ex-husband remember me from when my hair was short. But the time has come to change that and that time is tomorrow at noon. I have an appointment with Gary Alexander at Revelations to cut it off. I also have the form to donate my braid to Locks of Love. I called my youngest son last night to tell him what to expect when he sees me on Saturday, since he has never seen me with short hair. He has worn his hair rather long for the past year or so, and it turns out that he beat me to the punch. He has cut his hair into a mohawk and dyed it purple. He philosophically said – Why not? My roommate already had the purple dye.

I asked Ian to take a picture too. He asked me if I’m sure I want to go through with this. It’s funny how ready I am. I can’t wait for the first time I sit on the deck with my spinning wheel in the morning and feel the breeze on my scalp. It’s been a long time since I’ve had that sensation, over twenty years. This is how people have seen me. I wonder if I will look much different tomorrow.