It is just hair.....to me.

I can look at pictures and know about how old I was by my hairstyle.  Here I am in the 80's sporting the BIG hair.  All I can say is WOW.

Then college days....

Wedding.....

Babies.....

and NOW......

So much has changed!  It is with great hesitation that I post ANY of those pictures from the younger years and my children would die if they saw them but I do so with a greater purpose- loving people.

I have learned a lot since I turned 40.....and I have been set free by the realization that 

appearances really don't matter.

The days of hair spray, Sun-in, and perms are OVER!  Now it is a good day if I get out the diffuser on my hair dryer.  I confess that I do color my hair slightly and get it trimmed......if I did not like my hairdresser so much I might not even do that.

So where am I going with this?  IT IS JUST HAIR- TO ME.  But what could it mean to someone else?  Millions of children suffer from hair loss because of cancer treatments or alopecia. Some of them feel like they can rock the bald look or a cute hat but others want to have hair- real hair.  

 That is where we come in.

See, my hairdresser decided I should grow my hair out because it would look better-  I am of the thought process that short hair is less to fool with so the shorter the better.  I told her I would grow it out under one condition....that I donate it when it grows to 12 inches.  There began the journey.

As you can see, I am at about 4 inches now- if it is straightened and pulled.  Ok maybe 3 inches.  I figure that in one year it will be 12 inches if I am nice to it.  But I don't want to just donate my hair- I want to get enough people together to make at LEAST one wig, which is 12 ponytails and $1500 to subsidize all the costs that go along with providing a child with a wig.

I started doing my research and came across Children With Hair Loss. It is a small non profit organization that makes wigs for children for FREE.  Did you know a lot of other organizations charge for the wigs?  I called them on the phone and had the best chat ever with one of their volunteers.  

It is that simple- 12 ponytails and $1500 and a trip next summer to meet them in person in Michigan. 

Why did I pick this project?  Because long hair drives me crazy and it is one way I can die to self and give it away.  Those who know me understand I do not do this without whining- it is hot, it is frizzy, it is a pain, it is....blah, blah, blah.  This whole experience has been one of God changing how I see things.....thanksgiving that I can grow hair.  That I have a shower to wash it in.  That I have the utmost privilege to give it away.

Children With Hair Loss takes color treated, bleached and gray hair!  I need at least 12 people from anywhere in the world to join me in this cause.  You have a year to grow it out.....and God will take care of the rest of the details.

Will you join me?  Really- it is just hair.  It grows back.  It has noteternal value.  And someone needs it a whole lot more than you do.

Please leave a comment if you are IN and I will get in touch with you.  

12 people. 12 inches.