Going... going.... gone!

Well... I did it and here's the proof!

There is the entire ponytail... all 23"'s of it! Yup, it measured 23 inches and it weighed a full 7 ounces!!!

This is ponytail number four, and the second longest. (The one I cut the day before my first chemotherapy treatment measured just shy of 27") However, this one is special.

As most of you know, my previous donations have been to the Locks of Love program. They supply custom-made hair pieces for children undergoing chemo or those that have diseases such as Alpecia that rob them of their hair.

The wonderful makers of Pantene, now have a similar program for women dealing with these same issues. So this will be my first donation to them. I remember all too well of what it was like to go through the agonizing chemo treatments, wearing a scratchy, obviously fake hair wig.

The wig that people looked at first, before they looked me in the eye... for someone like me, who sported waist length hair for most of my life. The loss of my hair was devastating.

I do this, because of the knot in my chest when I remember how I felt, the compassion I feel when I see women that look as I did. Trying to be comfortable with something that is inherently uncomfortable by its very nature.

So I do this for them... I do this for me... I do this to honor those that endured the exhaustion of living life without hair, and of course those that not only endured it, but were not able to live a life beyond it.

If you would like to contribute to either of the programs, you can find more information at:

http://www.Locksoflove.org

or

http://www.beautifullengths.com

I know not everyone is open to growing their hair, but I just found out a very cool thing, maybe you might be able to do something like this...

A Troop Leader's daughter has leukemia. Her fellow troop-sisters, all decided to grow their hair to the minimum 10"s needed. Some already had longer hair, others needed time.

They finally all went to a local beautician and had their hair cut, which was sent to Locks of Love. There was a total of seven ponytails from 10" to 15" in length.

Their Troop-sister received one of the precious headpieces and wore it for the next three years. She has since gone into remission and has been cancer free for just over two years!

It was an incredible thing for these kids to participate in, to experience firsthand how simple it was to make a difference in their own day to day life and more importantly, in the life of another.

Speak kindly, live simply, love generously and be well...

love, c