New "Do"

I struggle on a regular basis with my hair.  I'm always fighting it and always searching for that perfect style that will not only make me look good, but be easy to work with on a regular basis.  Everyone around me was sporting long beautiful locks, and I wanted to be part of that crowd.  My hair cut itself was great, but the daily execution of the style was severely lacking.  The summer weather was beginning to set in and I noticed that not only was the heat making it look limp and sad, but it was making me miserable.  I couldn't stand it touching my neck and so regularly kept it pulled back.  As we drove back from Galveston, I clutched my hair up high on my head to allow my neck to cool down and remembered something someone once asked me.  "Do you want a hair style or a pony tail?"  This made me pause and consider my motivations for long hair.  The daily struggle of trying to look presentable was failing, and the only real reason for wanting it was to look like all the beautiful women around me.  I sat mulling over this startling self revelation for some time, but decided to keep my thoughts to myself.  

That night, after returning home and getting the kids fed and settled in bed, I was sitting on the couch, my hair pulled back.  Again.  Jeff turned to say something to me and stopped, tilting his head and looking at me for a moment.  Apparently I was sitting in just the right way that my hair looked like it had been cut very short.  He then explained his momentary silence, and asked if I had ever considered a shorter hair cut.  To hear him voice my earlier thoughts was startling and reassuring.  We seem to be on the same page more often than not.  

I was getting my hair cut later that week, so I searched and found a picture of one that I liked to take as an example.  The stylist was very surprised by my choice but went along with it.  As he finished up he started to play with my hair and remarked multiple times that "it just wants to do this!"  He's normally very matter of fact and calm, so his playfulness and excitement confirmed what I saw.  I LOVE my new hair cut and think it suits me perfectly.

The point of this long and somewhat rambling post is that I want my children to learn from my mistake.  There was nothing wrong with having long hair, except that it really wasn't working for me, and I was miserable.  I was trying to be someone I wasn't and that is never a good thing.  

And so, my darling babies, my wish for you both is that you will always be true to yourselves, on the outside and more importantly, on the inside.  Life may not necessarily be easier, but you will be infinitely happier as a result.