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Monday, March 4, 2013

The Day I Donated My Hair

February 22nd. It was a sad day. A day full of horrible memories of watching my mom take her last breath. Of making phone calls. Of meeting with the funeral director. I will never forget that day in 2012. But this February 22nd, I wanted to turn it around. I wanted to honor my mom and continue living onward and upward as I know she would force me to do with any other loss.

So, I had made plans to chop off my long locks and donate them in her name to someone who needed them much more than I did. To a woman somewhere suffering from that sick monster we call "cancer," undergoing rigorous treatments, hanging on desperately, and losing her healthy hair in the process.

In the end, I know we'd all choose our life over our hair. Unfortunately, my mom didn't have a choice this time around for either. But, in the cancer battle she fought when she was younger than I am, she lost her hair. And I'll never forget those stories of the treatment she had to undergo, as chemo was in its early stages at that point. My mom is a miracle. She is my hero. I honestly don't know how she did it.

But I guess she gave some of that bravery to me because I marched into the greatest salon ever, Salon Ink in Mission Hills that Friday morning and couldn't have been more excited for the big chop. It meant more to me than any other haircut before. This was for her. For everything she taught me. For everything she helped me stand for. For everything she inspires me to be. For all the love she filled my life with.


I was ecstatic! It felt so great to feel the weight lifted as I heard those snips. To sit there and  look at that hair of mine in a ponytail. To just sit there and hold it. I guess it symbolized something much deeper for me on that day.

However, don't be fooled. My hair looks nice and lovely in the picture above but the backside looked like someone just took scissors to it and chopped my hair off. Oh, wait... that really happened ;) So, my stylist got to work, I explained to her the meaning behind my donation, and I walked out those doors feeling like a new woman!

This is the shortest my hair has ever been and I couldn't be happier with it. It's fresh. It's meaningful. And to be honest, it made February 22nd so much easier to get through.





And just as a reference, here's how long my hair was before the big chop! 8+ inches longer.


Although February 22nd will always be the day my mom died, like I said, setting this goal to donate my hair gave me something positive to look forward to and took my mind off all the negative. I just hope she approves of the new look ;) My mom always liked me better as a blonde. Sorry, Mom. Had to stick with the "bronde." :)

[I donated my hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths and highly encourage all of you to make the big chop one day too!]


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23 comments:

Tammy @ Lemons, Avocados and the Bay said...

You go girl! =) You are so inspiring... and your new hair looks SO GOOD!

Setarra said...

Love the new do! Work it, Work it :)

Emily said...

What a sweet thing to do on such a hard day for you!! I love the idea of celebrating your mother's life by helping others who are going through a battle like hers! And that haircut looks great on you!

Donna said...

That is so, so special. Your new haircut looks great and your hair will be such a blessing to the woman who is lucky enough to receive it!

The Pink Growl said...

Your hair looks awesome that length, I really love it! Plus, what an amazing thing for you to do to pay tribute to your mom!

Unknown said...

this is an incredible post! your new hair looks absolutely gorgeous, and i am glad this experience gave you something to look forward to. sending hugs to you!

Carolyn said...

So sweet! :) your mama would be so proud! Love the new haircut!

Lauren said...

SO awesome! Love this idea. I'm growing my hair out now and I think once it's long enough that I can have it cut (and not be TOO short) I'm going to donate it :)

CALLIE said...

Love this :) And your new hair do is adorbs!! You are so strong!

Jenn @ West Sac Honey said...

Proud of you I know it was a hard day but there's a woman somewhere you've just made very happy and I'm sure your mom was just as proud!

Very Hannah! :) PLL!

Katie Did What said...

Oh, Chelsea, you are so beautiful, inside AND out. I love that you did this in honor of your sweet mom, and I think I might have to follow in your footsteps and do the same. You are such an inspiration, and I just KNOW that your mom would be so proud of you for it!

xo

p.s. I love that you said "my mom is a miracle," because you are 100% right. And I say the exact same about my mom!

Rachel said...

That's a great thing to do! But your new short hair is about as long as the longest hair I've had in years!

Shayna @ The Fancy Yancey said...

Love the new cut! It is so cute!!!

Heidi's Wanderings said...

Girl you rock! What a great way to turn a totally sad day into something more positive. Sharing with others always makes the day a little better doesn't it?

Heidi’s Wanderings

Anonymous said...

This is awesome! Your new haircut looks great too!

KRISTIN said...

LOVE the new do! What a special way to honor your mom! No doubt that she is proud. :)

Alyssa said...

Love it! Looks awesome!

Ashley said...

so sweet of you to donate! It looks super cute short, love it curly too!!! hope you are well my lady! xo

Jordan Cole said...

Since my donation, I've vowed to donate every few years! I love my hair and I understand how important it is for a woman, so it's important to share if we can.

And I must say your new do is SUPER SASSY! I am loving it!

tara said...

love this! you look gorgeous with that short sassy hair! :)

Chelsea said...

Your so sweet!! I think this is completely awesome that you did and the reason you did it, is the best reason someone could cut off all their hair :)

Kristen said...

that's so awesome that you were able to do this at such a special time. the new cut looks amazing. new year, new home, and new cut! way to start 2013 off!

Anonymous said...

Awesome initiative and an awesome post as well!
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