Everyone handles stress differently. Some people run, clean or even cry when
stressed. I get my hair washed. And this had been one of those days when I
knew a trip to the salon was in the very near future. So off I go for my $8.00 hair wash and
dry.
Dee takes me back to the wash sink and starts to work her
magic as she massages my scalp. Then we
head off to the dryer. I typically
immediately fall asleep once she begins to dry my hair but this day was
different. I felt restless, I couldn’t
relax and no matter how hard I tried to nap, the nap wasn’t happening. I didn’t share my frustration with Dee and
kept my eyes closed when all of the sudden I heard the sweetest elderly voice. I opened my eyes to see a lady probably in
her mid 70s but she hardly had any hair.
The stylists asked if they were going to just trim it and
the little lady nodded her head. I could
not imagine why in the world this little lady was going to cut her hair. I closed my eyes so I wouldn’t stare. I soon learned the lady’s name was Gena.
Gena’s stylist asked if she had her last round of chemo and
radiation. Gena reported she had her
last radiation treatment two weeks ago and chemo had been over for a
month or so. She was still awaiting the
last of her scans to ensure she was in fact cancer free. Gena then asked the stylist how she thought
her hair was doing as far as growing back.
The stylist assured Gena there was lots of new growth. She also encouraged Gena to keep getting
regular trims to cut off any dead hair so new growth could come in even
quicker. Gena told the stylist she was
using the special shampoo/conditioner every day and really felt like it had
helped.
I listened as Gena and her stylist talked about lots of
things such as the holidays, family and even the weather. I could tell the appointment was drawing near
to being over. I opened my eyes to see
the stylist pointing to new hair growth in the back. Gena looked in the mirror and looked up at
her stylist and asked, “How long until my hair completely grows back in?” The stylist was choosing her response
carefully I could tell. “Well” the
stylist said, “it will probably be at least 6 weeks.” Gena said, “Well okay. I was hoping for my hair back for Christmas
but I can wait until the New Year especially if I get to start my holiday’s
cancer free.”
I closed my eyes back, touched my hair and immediately said
two prayers … one of thanksgiving for my health and all the hair on my head and
one for Gena, that she gets her holiday wish to be cancer free and to have her
hair back.
I left the salon actually thankful for the stressful day I
had and even more thankful that I couldn’t nap because I was given a greater
gift than relaxation. I was given Gena’s
story. Her story (and my hair) reminds
me, even in the most stressful of days, I am blessed beyond measure.
May this holiday season be stress-free for you and
yours. And if it’s not, may someone
cross your path (like Gena) who reminds you to focus on your blessings.