The Long & Short of It

Here's the deal, Internet, I've changed. 

As of Saturday morning, I no longer have hair past my waist. 

In the chair, with my curls all brushed out

I scheduled an appointment to chop it all off awhile ago, so I have had plenty of time to think through it. I spent hours and hours and hours on Pinterest looking at short hair. For the past month, I've watched girls' hair closely to see what styles look good on what faces. I clipped my hair up every which way to see what would look right and what didn't. I spent the last few weeks playing, straightening, and experimenting with long haired styles before I lost my luscious locks. I had to make the most of my time with it. 

Long, straight hair one last time.

And then Saturday came. Nothing could prepare me for it. Not the time leading up to it. Not the adorable short hair styles that I've been hiding away on Pinterest since August. Not even my friends telling me that my hair had gotten "creepy long." (I'm still not sure if they are forgiven for that one.) I knew I was going to miss my long hair. It had become a security blanket of sorts.

Braided and ready to donate - just shy of 20 inches!

The one thing that pushed me to chop it off was Locks of Love. The idea that there are children in the world dealing with diseases that causes them lose their hair breaks my heart. Little girls should be getting their hair braided and tied up in ribbons. They shouldn't have to worry about being made fun of for being bald. That's why I give them my hair. This marks a grand total of 46 inches donated.

All done!

It's amazing how much I allow my hair to become part of my identity. I base my confidence on whether or not I'm having a good hair day. I think I'm beautiful when my hair looks a certain way. But in the end, I have to remember that it's just hair. I had nothing to do with picking out the color, texture, or amount. God chose it for me. One of these days it's going to be grey and wiry. I'll be telling my grandchildren about how pretty my hair used to be, and how I used to have it hanging down past my waist. They'll think I'm crazy...and they'll be right.

Short & Sassy

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry. Rather, it should be that of the inner self, the unfading beauty of a quiet and gentle spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." -1 Peter 3:3-4

:j