A couple of weeks ago I saw a think online for the Sparrow Hair-A-Thon. It sounded like a good event. Stylists donate their time to cut hair for hair donations for children’s wig charities.
My daughter has been growing her hair out for two years. And it is sooo thick! It is seriously at least triple the thickness of mine. I’ve actually been getting concerned about the weight on her head during sports in a ponytail!
I showed her the event and after some consideration; she was on board. Today was the day. On the drive up to the hospital (where the event took place), she was so excited! It was great to see 🙂
I thought we would go up there; maybe there would be like three women cutting hair; maybe we would have to wait a few minutes to get her hair cut; and then we’d be on our way. What we found when we got there had me fighting back tears, almost continually the whole time we were there.
The woman in front of us had brought in her younger daughters. Only one had hair long enough to donate; and she was going to do it. When the woman told me that today was the anniversary of her last cancer treatment, the tears flew to my eyes. Could you imagine? Going thru cancer treatments with two small girls, praying to be there to watch them grow up; beat the cancer, and then have your daughter donate in such a way on the anniversary date of your last treatment . . . I can’t even imagine what that woman was feeling.
Then down the hall I recognized a face. I don’t think she knows who I am. But I know who she is. I follow her son’s Facebook page. I’ve prayed for his son during his battle against cancer. I knew he’d been back in the hospital this week. I didn’t know it was the same hospital. She walked by me, with him. They had come down to the lobby to see the people donating their hair!
Did I mention that there were at least 8 stylists there? Did I mention that we had to wait in a long line to donate? Did I mention that the line stayed that length or longer the entire time we were there?
Young and old, men and women, all kinds of hair being donated to help make wigs for children with cancer. There was a feeling in the air this morning in that lobby that I just can’t put in to words.
Tonight I am thankful that my daughter decided to donate her hair this morning. I pray that it helps a child feel good in a terrible situation. And I pray for each child that has had to ever experience the word cancer. I hugged my babies all a little tighter today.
Bug's Bright Side 