Briefly, I had a mohawk

A weight has been lifted from my shoulders, literally. My 19 year-old niece Bailey shaved my head this morning. I can't believe how great it feels!  So liberating. Actually, it's more of a crew cut than a shave, and I have to admit, I kinda like the look.

The new me

Here I am with Bailey.

My niece and head shaver extraordinaire

And here I am with with my wig.


The other new me

 Sometimes, the most unexpected, loveliest moments come your way and you don't realize how special they are until they pass. This morning as I'm about to leave my mother's house so I could meet my niece at 9:00 for my head shaving, I noticed Paul putting on his shoes. "You coming with me?" I asked. "Yep. Showing my support," he answered.

We arrive at my brother's house, where my English friend Debbie is also staying. They'd prepared a chair for me in the kitchen. I thought we'd do it outside so we wouldn't have to worry where the hair went. "Oh no," says my sister-in-law Sha, "it's too cold out there." Sha has a beautiful home about which she is rightfully particular.  To have my hair scattered all over her kitchen is a great privilege.

As I looked around the room, Paul, my brother Kenneth, Sha and Debbie surrounded me as Bailey began the first cuts. They were even taking video and pictures, documenting this particular moment in my journey, as chunks of my hair began hitting the floor. "Give her a Mohawk first," Paul joked. Bailey complied, briefly.

When completed, Sha exclaims, "Wow, you've got a nice round head.  I always thought that was just all your hair."  She hands me a mirror for my first look.  Amazing, I think. I like it.

Only later today, did it dawn on me that in my life I will never again have so momentous a haircut, in a room full of such encouragement and love. In my near baldness, I am transformed...uplifted...free!