The woman enters the beauty shop, her waist length hair tied neatly up in a braid. Waiting patiently for the young girl behind the counter to finish with the customer she was dealing with at the moment. Wondering to herself "is this the right thing to do?". It had been so long since she'd entered a beauty shop. You see, her hair was her comfort. It was the one thing that had been with her through so much trauma in her life and she had learned to hide behind it, using it almost like a shield from the cold world. Looking around at all the colorful supplies around the shop, she smiled as she noticed all the choices for style, color and scents. Yes, she was doing the right thing.1
As the last customer left, the beautician asked her politely, "can I help you ma'am?". Nervously she answered, "Yes, I'd like a hair cut and color please". The young beautician ushered her to the chair and began to wrap the smock around her and asked, "What are we doing today?". She replied, "I'm not sure. I just know I need a change, a big one. I want a cut and I want it colored but I'll let you decide. I haven't done this for a long time and I don't know what would be best". The beautician took down her hair, unraveling the braid a little at a time and as her hair unfolded and fail down her shoulders and then down her back, the beautician almost gasped at the length of it. "Wow", she said. "You really do have a lot of hair. How long has it been since you've had it cut?". The woman replied, "It's been so long, I don't think I remember". "Well", said the beautician, "How 'bout some layers and then we'll go from there". 2
As the beautician started cutting, with each snip of the scissors she watched as the long locks floated to the floor, almost in slow motion. A feeling of loss, yet a sense of relief came over her. Soon the floor was covered with long locks of hair....her life it seemed, lie there on the floor beneath her and around her. "How's this length?", said the beautician. "Is this short enough?". She answered, almost too quickly "maybe just a little more please". She didn't raise her eyes to look in the mirror, somehow she just knew she wanted more of it cut. 3
She let the beautician help her pick out a color too. Deciding on 2 different colors that would be mixed together to create her own unique color to match her skin tones. Still not looking in the mirror, she closed her eyes and let the beautician begin coloring what was left of her hair. She felt the weight of the hair no longer weighing her down. Somehow, as she felt the lightness of her head and neck, she felt the lightness of her spirit, yet somehow she felt naked, exposed it seemed. As if she was standing in town square with no clothes on and the streets were full of glaring eyes. She knew her shield was gone and she would no longer enjoy the comforts of it's shelter. 4
The beautician finally finished. Would she ever open her eyes and look into that mirror? She didn't want to but knew she should. Slowly her eyes opened, and a different woman unfolded before her eyes. "There I am" she thought. "I remember that woman". After paying and tipping the beautician, she turned to leave and as she walked out that door, she finally remembered who she once was and who she now is. A woman, with the strength to stand in town square completely exposed and feel proud of being the woman that she is. 5
Author notes
This may or may not make sense to some of you. It is a personal thing for me. True story. I just had 16 inches of hair cut and for me, I truly did hide behind it. This is just my story and I don't really expect everyone to understand the significance of it.
What did you think? Please comment!
Comments
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MY Mirror's Reflection
error....
Edited on Jan 24, 1:15 because 'error'. -
This is an incredibly moving write. I admit, when I first glimpsed at it, I had wondered how anybody could possibly write a story... that wasnt humour... about having a hair cut. This, though, surprised me wonderfully. I love it... it's so uplifting! A true work of art... lol I'm just stunned at the minute, and I'm not very articulate at the best of times *rolls eyes* Thank you for sharing this truly delightful read.
Take Care
- Becca
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This is a brilliant poem and it really made me think because I spend a lot of time trying not to think of what people think mainly because i know that i am not very accepted. Unfortunately, i don't have anything to hide behind and it is a big step getting your hair cut short. It's always important to feel good in yourself.
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Men pay like % or $10 for a haircut ladies pay anything from £35 or $70 up to £300 or $600, now there’s something amiss there Robin you think, could not resist the comment but it’s a mystery indeed this one.
Edited on May 07, 5:02 because ''. -
wow when i was reading this it reminded me of how i felt last year when i got my hair cut i got about 18 inches cut off and it was still dwon to my shoulders but it reminded me so much of how i used to hide behind my hair. sorry. but i really liked it. Great write. GB and GGHL. ~~~Bec~~~
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Thanks Jules.
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The little pieces of armour we stand behind tend to become the focus of how we are seen, as if they have gathered their own personality and we who are hidden go deeper into the background, the courage needed to remove the barricade then makes us stronger. Mine were big big glasses.
Jules -
Thank you sweety
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Lovely
I think the hair was a major step forward, but the biggest step was making the decision in the first place The joy to be able to make such monumental decisions will become easier each time a new decision is made. I wish you happiness and good fortune in your new awakening
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Well wbiro, since I'm a girl lol, maybe that should be "wonder what he thinks"
although, this decision had nothing to do with anyone other than myself, and my own self-confidence. Thank you for reading this and commenting. Stories can be a bit long sometimes. I truly appreciate you finishing it. I like the alternate title you suggested too, hmmm...I'll have to think about that.
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'My hair lies naked on the floor' (alternate title!) I see the same thing in barber shops- guys being swiveled around to see the new 'them'... and always a tip for the barber! Personally I'd like to read more of what the person was thinking during the entire process... 'will he like it', what will the girls think, will it look good, what if it's horrible?!
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Thank you Eddy
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We all have little guises we hide behind, make things seem a little safer in the world, tho we both know it just illusion.
Ruts are never good, no matter their form for we can only advance when there is change which is why I'm amazed at most people. Seeking differece throught the same applications as always. I've never been one to care too much about what others think about me. I am always being told how I should live and what I should or should not be doing, but I just figure since they are only temporarally around, why listen to them. I have to live with my self FULLTIME don't you see and so I should be the one who decides what I REALLY need or don't. You are in the fast line of change there my friend just remember to stop occasionally to smell the flowers along the way tho too ok. For we can continue to seek for self so much that we forget to enjoy the present day and only focus on the future of what we will be and not on what we are now too...
And I'm sure that she said ma'am and not miss. I once wrote a poem about that from the womens prospective of when miss became ma'am and the awakening of getting older. I have no idea if you read it or even what it was called anymore. But don't worry, just like wine women only get better with age...
Hugs...Eddy -
Thank you Liz.
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Lyrical my dear...this is a great story..and I can relate to it as well...I did something similiar to this one a few years ago.
I always enjoy your work..and I think I understand it most of the time.
hugs..
LIZ -
Thank you Dark Hawk. I'll give some thought to writing about what brought out this desire for change. I always appreciate your wonderful comments and I hope to see something else new by you too
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Excellent
Sounds like a decision to recognize the fact that there's a scared little kid in all of us and this is the day that kid steps out from behind the bushes to face the bully after school. Long hair being the bushes, and life the bully. Tests of, and quests for courage challenge us all from time to time. The ultimate realization is that you can't hide from yourself. I hope you write about the event that triggered the sudden desire for change, the sudden need for a warrior's courage to face--I assume--your drastically changed world.
Clever and interesting way to depict a new approach with new courage and resolve to face the future.
Edited on May 02, 12:52 because 'typo'. -
It's amazing to me how such an insignificant thing can be so significant. I realized I was hiding behind it when it got so long I was sitting on it and in any pictures I could find of me, it was hiding my face. I think it really is as significant today as it used to be. My thing was, I needed to let that strength go and find real strength in myself. I know it probably sounds silly to most, but for me it was a big deal Thank you for the great comment.
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Well, from personal experience I think hair is the first thing a lot of people notice about a person especially if it usually long. In days gone by it was a symbol of defiance and rebellion and at one time even a source of strength. Today maybe it doesn't carry as much significance as it used to but it's still an important part of the image we present to others and most importantly the image we have of ourselves.
Sincerely,
Leo Long -
Oh yes I understand very well and I do love the new DO So many things are said about hair"a woman's crowning glory" etc...well, we generally do not act as queens or are treated like princesses...so the hair becomes secondary. However as you said , you used it to hide behind .....and having it cut off will really allow you to jump feet first into the world instead of "hair first" It was beautiful hair though, and just imagine how happy it will make someone that will recieve it through"locks of love" , yes ......you did the right thing
much love,
Reenie
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Did'nt we just have this discussion? Or am I dejuve-ing again. Your new look must be growing on you even more. In my teens,I had so much frizzy hair to hide behind. My older sister said I looked like cousin IT.Or a cave person. Be through this off and on hair thing several times in my life. And I've seen your new do, you look marvelous. Just simply marvolous.Fantastic look, and write.~~Suseann
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Thanks Margaret. 12 inches ey? That's a lot of hair too Good for you!!
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What a coincidence. I had 12 inches of hair cut about a month ago. I hadn't had more than a few inches cut since 1985.
I understand the bewilderment, and I let my stylist decide on how to cut once she had saved my braid. There is a great deal of confidence to be found in knowing one looks good.
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