Wednesday, August 24, 2011

It's Just Hair!


A discovery I thought I might not have to find.

After all, the Dr. said "maybe some thinning is possible."

But after I ran my comb through my freshly shampooed hair this morning,
clumps of strands were gathering.

Running my hand over the comb...and getting every last stray,
I threw them into the waster basket and started over...
carefully....from the top of my head to
the very ends...

same result.

I think I'm going to lose my hair.

God knows exactly how many hairs are on my head,
they are numbered.

I instantly pictured Him with a subtraction tablet in His hand,
marking off hair...after hair...after hair, counting
faster...and faster...and faster.

"Stop it! It's just hair'" I tell myself.

It's not like I had a luscious bunch of it anyways.
I mean...really...strings and threads; it's been thin all my life.

And...it will grow back.

Joe, being understanding and always the comforter, hugs me. 

 He kinda pooh-poohed the whole incident saying it didn't matter that much anyway...

I could get a couple of scarves.

I've actually been looking at a few of them...and then of course,
there are wigs.

Some of my friends have them and they have their own heads of hair.

This won't be so bad, I think.

As I stepped downstairs into the kitchen to put breakfast together,

I brushed away a tear starting to form. 

What did I expect was going to happen anyway? 

How did I think that I could dodge this side effect?

And, Joe, God bless him...he doesn't think like a woman...

but he hurts when I hurt  and he wants to shelter me. 

 And wow...it certainly didn't seem to bother him that I may be bald...
balder than him! 


He spoke my name and I looked up at him from the computer...and he stood there looking at me.

I didn't notice at first..but recognition started to set in and I saw that

he shaved his entire head!

I burst out laughing...he had done a pretty good job

(expect a small Mohawk-like patch in the very back)


There is nothing he wouldn't do for a show of support for me, I think. 


A song my brother Chris sang at our 20th anniversary celebration 16 years ago came to my mind;


Tomorrow morning if you wake up
And the sun does not appear,
I will be here

If in the dark we lose sight of love,
Hold my hand and have no fear,
'Cause I will be here.

I will be here when you feel like being quiet;
When you need to speak your mind I will listen.
And when I will be here when the laughter turns to crying;
Through the winning, losing and trying, we'll be together,
Cause I will be here.

~ I will be Here ~  Steven Curtis Chapman

8 comments:

  1. You amaze me, that's all I can say. And your Joe? Incredible man. Now go to wigs.com and order something crazy.

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  2. I I dont have the words...SO incredibly proud of you and your strength mama! XOXO And SO very happy you and Dad have each other......Tracy

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  3. Oh Momma...I am so Amazed at your strength and soo incredibly blessed that my Daddy is there to be your pillar! Love you sooo much! XOXOXO

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  4. That's our family song Linda! Love it ! Love you!

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  5. Oh Linda,
    Tears fall down my face--It's your eyes that are beautiful, them and your smile. And now more than ever, we all see into your soul, and that, my friend is such a reflection of the heart of God, that we don't see anything else. I remember a funny story Chonda Pierce told about her mom having gone through this same thing. She had a wig on and was out working in her garden when the wig was caught up by a gust of wind and flew off. There they were chasing a wig and learning to laugh in spite of everything. I love that you too are finding joy, each day.
    It is an encouragement to us all.
    Sarah Olver

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  6. Linda, I can't imagine what you are going through Sister, my heart aches for you. As I read, a clear image of your precious mother comes to mind. Not an image from one of the slide shows or even from when I had the pleasure of first meeting her. This image is of a bald head, bright shiny eyes and a mischievous grin as she faced her own battle with cancer. Priceless!! Romans 8:28 promises us "ALL GOOD", so today I am praying for the Lord to reward you with a thick, full "crown of glory" for your victorious battle.....with built in highlights, of course!!
    Love you so!!!
    Steph

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  7. ...and along with His "subtraction tablet", probably clipped about His waist would be His bottle to catch each tear you brush away. Each hair numbered and each tear caught----is there anything about us that isn't precious to the Lord? Bask in the wonder of Psalm 56---
    "You number and record my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle---are they not in Your book? Then shall my enemies (cancer cells) turn back in the day that I cry out; this I know, for God is for me. In God, Whose word I praise, in the Lord, Whose word I praise. In God have I put my trust and confident reliance. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Your vows are upon me, O God; I will render praise to You and give You thank offerings. (Amplified vv 8-12)

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  8. As I watched my daughter -in -law Linda, trying to get comfortable when she returned from her doctor's it tore me up. Her head covered in beautiful scarf, she looked beautiful. Joe rushing around to get her something to eat, hopefully she can get it down. I pray silently that she will be able to eat something.
    A song by Charles Billingsley says. You hold my every moment, You calm my raging seas, You walk with me through fire, You heal all my disease. I trust in You I trust in You. I believe Your my Healer ....... (forgive errors)
    I love you dearly and you will be healed. I can write this better then I can express myself. Be brave as the Lord, Joe and all others who love you will never stop our prayers for peace and rest from the hurt and finally Hair! Long blonde Hair or is that the way the song goes !!
    Although I never say this much, I love you and
    glad that Joe married you!!! You are a blessing to all of us.
    God BLess,
    Marie

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