April 21: I know it’s strange to post a photo of my head but twice this year people standing or sitting behind me have commented on the cut and highlighting of my hair. The most recent incident was 6 weeks ago. Two ladies standing behind me in the return line at Costco started raving about my hair and asked for the name of the salon and the hairstylist. Neither noted the information on paper or in their smart phones so I assumed they were just being polite and making conversation. I texted my hairstylist the story knowing she would appreciate the kind words and to thank her for making me look so good.
OMG, my hairstylist exclaimed when I walked into the salon today. Those two ladies from Costco came here asking for me!
I won the hairstylist lottery long ago, when, in junior high, when my best friend introduced me to her hairstylist. She was beautiful and bright and personable and had lots of interests, all of which I enjoyed hearing about sitting in her chair. She knew hair, but was so much more than a hair stylist. She had business sense and was quite the entrepreneur. My younger self admired her confidence and fearlessness. My older self is inspired by her zest for life and trying new things.
As I grew up and started building my own life and pursuing my own dreams we became friends. For 35 years she cut my hair. The running joke between us was that I’ve known her longer than anyone in my life other than my family and she raised me, even though she’s only about 10 years older than me.
Four years ago she retired, but not without first carefully selecting and recommending replacement hairstylists for all her long term clients. She found a perfect match for me in both skill and personality. A young woman who is almost 10 years younger than me and beautiful and sweet. Her courage shines through in the experiences she shares coming to the United States, learning English, working her first job, and pursuing her path to citizenship. She’s generous with stories of her culture. There is an artist in her that believes there is creative expression in styling hair. And she’s obviously skilled at what she does, the two compliments this year merely examples of those I’ve received in the four years that she’s been doing my hair. I imagine we too will become friends and have a long lasting relationship.
So why the head shot? Advertising. This is the outcome of today’s appointment. Showing it off is the least I can do for someone who makes me look so good. I am grateful for the magic she does with my hair.
1 comment
Love this post