Seriously, sometimes it looks like this!
In the days before mousse and gel and other hair care products, I prayed to G-d to make my horrible curls go away.
Each night, I slathered my hair with V-05 — a greasy, grayish paste — and went to bed with a red bandana tied around my head.
All the popular girls had straight, shiny hair — parted at the center and held back by painted barrettes with whales or hearts on them.
My frizzy hair looked stupid when I tried to do that.
Rainy days were the enemy; humidity was my undoing. I learned to stay away from boys at water fountains.
Once, an old woman stuck her fat finger inside one of my corkscrew curls. She muttered words in Yiddish that I didn’t understand. Her translator told me the woman had said she’d had hair like mine when she was young. I didn’t know if that was a compliment or not. Her head was covered with a plastic rain bonnet.
People often told me my hair matched my personality.
*I assumed this meant they thought I was surly and uncooperative.
For decades, I fought my curls. I tried clips and headbands; I even tried straightening treatments to make my hair more manageable.
And then my friend was diagnosed with cancer.
And I watched her lose the soft, dark locks that framed her face. Soon, another friend was diagnosed with something else. And I watched her hair come out in clumps as she brushed it. One day, she brought out the clippers that — until that moment — she’d only used on her son, and she used them on herself. Leaving pieces of herself on the kitchen floor, she hopped in her truck and went off to buy wigs. When another friend lost her hair, she bought hats. Another bought do-rags. Another friend preferred bald. She said wigs went lopsided and scarves itched.
I stopped complaining about my hair.
Because I have hair.
And having hair means that my cells are not behaving badly. That I am not facing chemotherapy or radiation. That I am not making videos for my children to see when they are older because I might not be here. That I am not battling cancer — that goddamn monster — that takes people too young.
I’ve stopped wasting my prayers on hair. G-d has other things to do.
The instructions were to write about hair. Use it as a vehicle to tell us something about your character, a situation, you and/or your life. I tried.
renée a. schuls-jacobson 
I had cancer when I had just turned 21. I was lucky. The radiation made me lose some hair, but I didn’t really notice until it started growing back in and I had short little hairs sticking up all over my head among the long ones that didn’t fall out.
When my cousin had cancer at age 16, she wore scarves on her head when she went bald, but she never bought wigs. She felt like it would be giving up the fight, and the odds were very much against her. She beat those odds and is in her thirties with a family.
I love my hair. I am not vain about it so much as I appreciate it and do what I can to care for it because I know that each day I have it, it’s a gift. Many prayers for your friends, and thank you for your post.
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I know you are a cancer survivor. I’m so glad you left me this post. Cancer is a monster, and I am so glad you punched it in its throat.
When my grandmother lost her hair to cancer, she bought wigs. She looked so glamorous. She had several to choose from.
And even though she made the wigs sound like fun fashion accessories, I knew otherwise.
Blessings, Piper. And good health.
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Two posts in one day! I can barely keep up girlfriend!
I know what you mean about cancer. It is Hell and I am thankful for my health and can’t really complain.
BUT I have hellacious hair too~ Just had it done yesterday where they blew it out after coloring it. The curl is already starting to come back and by tomorrow the poodle hair will be back! I have accepted my crazy hair. Although I did just see a beautiful photo of Scarlet Johansson with short cropped curly hair. You know I could rock that do!
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The double blog was a misfire. I feel horrible! It wasn’t supposed to go until midnight tonight!
Meanwhile, you and Leanne and I were all at our respective salons yesterday. Was it bloggers day at the chop-shop? Was there a groupon that I missed?
Like you, my hair will look great today — but it is temporary.
As I said, I’m just so grateful to have hair these days.
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So well said, Renzay. My SIL is battling breast cancer now. She’s bald. Not by choice. It’s a hard road.
Earlier this week, a Grade 10 girl at my school who has super curly long hair announced she was going to shave her head – bald – to raise $ for those with cancer. Her dad has fought (and won – so far) his own battle with cancer. Not many dry eyes in that assembly.
Hugs.
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My mother in law is battling cancer right now, and she has been out looking for wigs for when the hair loss happens. Cancer really is a monster.
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Tracie:
I’m so sorry to hear what your MIL is going through. Shopping for wigs under those circumstances cannot be a good time, no matter what anyone says. I wish her success in her treatment.
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Beautiful piece, just like your hair.
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Teri, you are too kind.
You know I don’t like to get the bush wet.
Oooh, that came out wrong. 😉
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Hey, with such a pert, pretty face, why worry about hair?
My wife is cursed with very thin hair. She struggles all the time to keep from displaying bare spots.
When I was a teenager I wore my hair like, and looked like, Elvis Presley. I always had plenty of hair and kept it nicely styled until a few years ago.
Sometime in my 60s, the Elvis looks long gone, I decided to start wearing a buzz cut. Don’t think anyone is going to be attracted by my looks at this age, and it’s sure nice not to brush, comb or style it every morning.
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Good morning, Sir Sweet Talker.
I am like the female version of Samson. All my super powers are in my hair. I’m nothing without it. I know this because in high school I shaved most of it off. (Long story, and no — it didn’t involve a Delilah.)
Seriously, I wore a hat to prom. I am not kidding.
I only know you from the photo you’ve posted, and you are very handsome. My father has only a little hair left to style and I think he is still one of the most good-looking men out there. *waves hi to dad* I’ll bet he doesn’t miss the days of combing and preening either.
But losing one’s hair naturally is one thing; losing it to cancer is another.
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I went to college at Michigan State from Florida. My new friends in Michigan thought I had it all backwards. They told me they would love to go to college in Florida and couldn’t understand why I had chosen State. Well, I told them, they had a very good school in my field of study. But there was something else…an interesting perk to going to state. In the dry climate my hair cooperated whereas in Florida the humidity gave me the frizzies. I enjoyed four years of frizz free hair there.
Great and interesting post. If we have hair and don’t have cancer, we are very blessed. I too have had friends who have undergone treatments and licked cancer. One friend’s hair went from straight to very curly after chemo. People asked her who she got such beautiful curly from in her family. Her answer…I got it from cancer.
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I know survivors who say their hair has changed dramtically after cancer as well. There doesn’t seem to be a rhyme of reason. Some people turn grey. Some get curls. Some fine-haired people get coarse hair.
As far as I’m concerned, when you are a survivor, whatever hair you get back, is fabulous! My grandmother’s hair was always fine and she continued to wear wigs to fancy events. But around the house, she put her hair into two thin pony-tails and wrapped them with macrame cords. SHe looked like Pochahontas. 😉
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I have long since given up thinking my hair will do anything that I pretend to know how to make it do, which took off some of the stress. It used to be my “thing” and something I splurged on maintaining, but then life (mortgage and adult things) came along and I realized that hey, it’s just hair.
While I would like to have a bit more control (and money) over the end result, I’m okay with it being what it is. Meh.
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I’m with you. Mostly. Except every 8 weeks, my beloved Michael makes me positively fabulous.
And even then, it still takes him forever to straighten it. 😉
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You did a good job about writing about hair. When one of your friends loses their hair because of cancer, it kind of puts everything into perspective, doesn’t it.
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Maire:
It is the worst. And I guess I’ve hit that age where that is what’s going on. I actually hate it. It knocks me off my feet each time.
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This is so good. Everyday I speak with women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and are either in the middle of treatment or just starting. We get on the subject of hair a lot. Hair is a big deal – thanks for writing about it so well.
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Hi Marilyn: Hair is so linked to a woman’s sexuality. To lose it while fighting cancer, well… it’s just a double-whammy.
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I always said your curls are GORGEOUS and I could never understand why you’d want them gone! So glad you are grateful for them now.
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Thanks Amy! You are my #1 supporter!
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—Beautiful Insight (as usual), Renee.
I adore that photo of you, btw. SO 80’s…
Xx Have a good weekend.
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Kim! I always squeeee when you show up!
And yes, I have ’80s hair.
When I brush it.
Which I did in that picture.
I like to think it is more “disco” hair.
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Renee, what a tender piece. I think your hair is beautiful. Then again, the grass is always greener on the other side….I hate my pin straight hair… smile. We have much to be thankful for, don’t we?
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You are not just whistlin’ Dixie! So much gratitude.
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Pingback: The End is Near (and we deserve it). . . . Dog Shoots Man in Butt while Hunting « Author Piper Bayard
my hair is slowly retreated due to impending advancements from my forehead.
good stuff.
your post, not my comment.
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Tyler, you are always a hoot.
And also a blessing. You bring such joy.
I wish I were your baby.
That’s weird, huh? 😉
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I love this, Renee. So personal. I’m going to share it with my friends – thanks for giving us something to ponder upon and reminding us not to take ourselves too seriously.
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I’ve been trying to write about this for a while. About sick friends. And then the prompt came from WriteOnEdge.com and then Kristen Lamb wrote this beautiful blog on gratitude and I realized that was the way in.
If you liked this. You will love her post.
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This is heartbreakingly beautiful. I complained about my curls for too much of my life too. You cut to the heart of it, and it’s a reminder I’m grateful for. Love you.
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T: I was thinking of so many people as I wrote this. My friends. My grandmother. Kristen Lamb’s “Gratitude Post.” You and your curly girlies. So many people about whom I care so much. I feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day to read all the words. To re-post. To tweet. To tell everyone how grateful I am for all of them.
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Baby, you don’t need to overextend yourself to show you care. Just keep showing up and being wonderful you. We’ll know. xo
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Tamara: Thank you for being you and for understanding how I roll. I know I’m always late for the party, but I’ll always come. And I’ll be there to help clean up. And tell you how great your party was. 😉
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It gives you a real sense of perspective doesn’t it? Thank you for sharing. 🙂
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It really does. Thank you for coming over.
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Too busy crying to write more than this:
♥
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Deb: I have been making you cry. A lot. You are such a gentle soul. I don’t know how to make hearts like you do. ♥ So I copied and pasted yours.
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I love this post. But the fact that you still look gorgeous in your silly pictures kind of makes me mad. 😉
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Julie, you are too kind. See, you are the perfect example of the kinds of friends I have in cyberspace, so you can imagine the people with whom I surround myself in real life.
I don’t ever want to lose you.
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Our curses are very often someone else’s blessing and strongest desire. A steady husband, a job that makes your head hurt, a head of hair. Amazing how things are put in perspective.
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You ain’t just whisling Dixie. Thanks Katie. You are wonderful. And you so get it.
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I skipped silver and gray and went straight to white. My head musta said “Hey, get it over with.”
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But you are healthy and strong. That’s the important part.
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I just plain love you. And your hair. And Piper, for punching cancer in the throat.
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Feeling is mutual, Liz! And di you see I got your blog! Yay!
But so heartbreaking.
I don’t know how you do that work.
I guess that’s why G-d puts us here — to do all these different jobs.
And yeah, so glad that Piper kicked cancer’s ass.
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Wow. What a great way to put things in perspective. It sucks that you know so many people who are dealing or have dealt with that selfish monster cancer.
I don’t think I’ll complain about my hair again anytime soon, either. Well said.
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That is an understatement. Nine friends have died in 4 years. It’s been brutal.
Several are fighting hard now.
Everyone I know has lost someone he or she loves to cancer.
Stooopid disease should just go away already.
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Such an important message. As someone who also battles my hair, I am grateful that it is here and my cells are behaving themselves. Thankfully. Loved this post.
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Hi Cheryl:
Thank you so much. Every time you show up, I suck in my breath in adoration. Thank you for understanding the big picture. Always. 😉
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Whew- Renee! This is so very powerful! I love the way you drew me in with your own “journey” and brought it home a lesson.
Important, soulful, sad, scary, and right back to important.
You, my dear friend, are amazing!
xo
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Galit: By now, you must know that you have become one of my favorite people in the blogosphere. I love tweeting with you. The words you assigned to this post are the words I would use to describe most of your posts.
The one you recently did at Story Bleed spoke to me on eleventeen hundred levels.
You are beyond amazing. I’m so glad to have found you.
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That was such a great post! The invention of mousse WAS one of the best things ever. 🙂
My heart aches for your friends but the best thing is it’s obvious how much you love them. Thank you for reminding me not to sweat the little things and to enjoy life to the fullest while we’re here.
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Thank you GWC!
I liked your post, too! Nice to meet you.
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My mom had breast cancer when I was in the 8th grade and lost all of her hair to aggressive chemo. She wore turbans and wigs until it grew back. I learned at a pretty young age to not complain about bad hair days, although I do, at times, have reason to! I’m just thankful for all of the wonderful hair products that keep my wild hair under control!
You have such a cute face that you look good even with frizzy hair! 🙂
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Hi Sprinkes:
I’m so sorry to hear about your mom. Sounds like she is a survivor! Thank goodness for that!
And like you, I am so happy for hair care products. What did we do before they existed. 😉
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