To Hair is Human: A Daily Dose of Jealousy

To Hair is Human: A Daily Dose of Jealousy

It was a cold, wintry day here
in Buffalo, New York. Three years to the day since I had my last chemotherapy
treatment, this December 23rd. Typically I am one with a positive spirit,
finding my cup overflowing with the delight in life itself. However, on this day
my mind could not help revisiting the past. I was in the check-out line at the
market when all of a sudden, my eyes opened wide and my mouth fell open, I
wanted to scream, oh my gosh!!! To say that I was staring is an understatement.
I could have sworn I was drooling upon the nape of this woman’s neck, feeling
like Dracula getting ready to pounce on my next victim. For what you ask? HAIR!
There before me stood this woman with the most beautiful hair, pulled back in a
rubber band that went well past her rear-end. Could it be? I was full of joy,
jealousy and pure ecstasy!
Now giggle if you must, but I wanted to take in
this beautiful site. I immediately conjured up visions of all the women, young
and old, that would benefit from her hair, this stranger full of Locks of Love,
INDEED! While I thought about approaching the woman, I wrenched inside, fearful
of her response. I had to ask myself, does this woman have a story of her own to
tell? Was I so selfish to think that my thoughts were to be imposed on her,
right here, in the check-out line? I never lost my hair during my chemotherapy
treatments. I always felt as if this rite of passage somehow minimized my
diagnosis. Are we such a society based upon appearance that I placed
immeasurable worth on this woman’s hair? YES!
Well, what happened you ask? I
did not approach the woman. I contained my voice. It is my hope that her life is
full of happiness, health and blessings. With so many uncertainties in life, in
the end, I determined it was not my place to tell my story, not my place to be
an intrusion on her life. It is with great conviction that I respect her getting
her groceries, and I will never forget the pleasure I felt seeing hair for the
first time.