In one month it will be one year. One month, one year.
Anyway, I mentioned it a long time ago, but now it's quite official. On January 12th, 8 of my local girlfriends and I will be donating our hair to 'Locks for Love', http://locksoflove.org/index.html in Noah's memory. No, Noah never needed a wig, obviously, but from living at the hospital for ever 5 months, I am thankful that my eyes were opened to the needs of other children and their families. And, if you want to get technical, hair isn't a need. Yes, we were designed with hair follicles, but many people live without hair everyday. Yes, I realize that food, water and shelter are real needs for children throughout the earth, but donating my hair to a kid that is sick and has lost their hair for whatever reason is an easy thing to do, and let me tell you, my hair needs a serious cutting! There will always be a 'better' or 'bigger' way to fill a need somewhere, but I pray that does not stop people from being generous givers. No, I can't donate a ship or airplane to a ministry that takes food and medical supplies to starving and sick people but I can give food or medical supplies, or 10 inches of hair. You get the point.
Anyway, the owner of a local salon will be donating the cost of our haircuts to a charity of our choice, we'll simply be tipping the stylists. I don't know if you have been saving your hair for a rainy day or feel moved to get a radical new look, but if you happen to have 10 extra inches of hair hanging around, would you and your friends be willing to book out your local salon on January 12th in Noah's memory and any other child that you want to honor? It would be so cool for 'Locks for Love' to have loads of ponytails filling their mailbox that following week! If you, on your own, or you and a few girlfriends (or guy friends...there are some seriously long locks on some guys out there!) are able to do this in your own town, will you please email me and let me know?
Also, please take your camera along for lots of pictures and then email them to me. I'll post them with locations, and your names if you want, along with our pictures on Noah's blog in January.
I donated my hair probably 4 and a half years ago for this, but I'm pretty sure this haircut will go down in my personal history as the most memorable and rewarding. Haircuts aren't just haircuts anymore.
Man, I miss that boy! Every minute, every day.
Donating your hair is an easy thing to give. I have continued to let mine grow out and then cut it off. I wish it would be long enough in a month to do it again. But I last donated in June in Noah's name.
ReplyDeleteI will put the word out there and totally pray that many give in this way.
It was great to finally hug your neck and meet Emily, Jason, and you.
My daughter donated her hair in September. I told about the organization and she couldn't wait to donate her hair!
ReplyDeleteHere is a link:
http://sayamberkay.blogspot.com/2007/09/hair-cut.html
I wish my hair was long enough because I would do it in a heartbeat! I have been thinking about you a lot during this holiday season. We love you guys and if there is ever anything we can do to help, please let us know! Wishing you a Merry Christmas and I wish we could all be in heaven with Noah to celebrate. Can you imagine the decorations and singing going on up there?! I just talked to Kaija and hear you will be in SD next week. We have a gift for Emily so I won't mail it, I will just give it to Kaija so that Emily will have it on Christmas. Love you guys and have a safe trip. If you get time, lets do lunch!!!!
ReplyDeleteI just donated 10 inches in July. It was an awesome feeling and I am letting it grow again. For years I've wanted to donate, but was always too chicken. Not anymore. Hair grows back and an incredibly fast rate.
ReplyDeleteMy cousin did that just a month or two ago, only she decided to go with Pantene's donation program instead. I guess she had done some research and wasn't impressed with the low level of actual donations made by LOL compared to Pantene. I don't share this to discourage you in any way, but because I want your donations to really count and to really be used for the purpose you want. Is there a way that LOL can guarantee they will do the right thing with your donation, and that it will definitely go for a free wig for a sick child in need?
ReplyDeleteMy daughter has been growing her hair to donate - it may actually be long enough on January 12th! She was inspired to do it after a classmate died from cancer. After doing some research we decided to donate to Wigs for Kids. Mainly because they don't charge for the wigs and I believe that the hair isn't sold to other manufacturers.
ReplyDeleteI think donating your hair it is a great thing to do and a nice way to honor the memory of your sweet son.
God bless you and your family.
This is a great cause, I have donated my hair every other year for the last 10 years
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ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful to do! Thank you again for praying for Dameron.
ReplyDeleteIt really seems like just yesterday I was praying for your family as you laid Noah at the feet of Jesus. I am still inspired by your blog! Thank you for continuing to write. I miss Noah too.
ReplyDeleteJaime in Atlanta
You are a truely amazing woman.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder to get my hair appointment scheduled. I've been letting it grow ever since you mentioned the idea months ago. It's been an easy way to share Noah's story when the topic of hair comes up.
ReplyDeleteWe put up our tree a couple weeks ago and the angel in honor of Noah hangs right in front.
Thank you doesn't even come close to how much I've appreciated how you've shared your heart Adrienne.
Love the picture of all of the LOOONG locks! I donated my hair in September in Noah's name. I will be praying on that day!
ReplyDeleteAmanda
When my daughter was 4 she heard about Locks of Love and immediately wanted to donate her beautiful waist length hair. I hate to admit it now, but I tried to talk her out of it for some time. One day, as I was braiding her hair, God spoke to me so clearly. Actually, he rebuked me, but ever so gently. I realized that my child had this beautiful head of hair, which would grow back and she wanted to donate it to a child who didn't have that option. I broke down and surrendered immediately. When I composed myself, I asked her if she would like to get her hair cut that day. She immediately said yes and I called my girlfriend to cut it. It was amazing!! When her dad and older brothers returned home that afternoon, they were shocked, but, oh so proud of her!! Well, that was 8 years ago, and I'm happy to say that she is now 12 years old and about a month away from donating for the 4th time!! She is hooked and has actually talked her best friend into donating this time with her. In about four weeks, we will be having a girls' day out to beat all days! She will be sporting a new 'do' and counting the months until she can do it again! Enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteI have been a follower of your blog for a little under a year and seriously think of you and your beautiful Noah every day. As the 12th of Jan. nears, I pray that our Father will continue to give you and your loved ones the on-going strength that has gotten you this far. Your story is amazing and has touched SO many people. You and that amazing little guy are so loved....
ReplyDeleteI would love to this. I will have to grow my hair out first so hopefully next year at this time I would be able to.
ReplyDeleteMuch love being sent to you :)
Very cool. Wish we had something like this in SA.
ReplyDeleteDo you plan on doing this every year on January 12th?
ReplyDelete1st- praise the Lord for that little boy who is still changing lives today.
ReplyDelete2nd- praise the Lord for amazing friends and women of God who will stand as soldiers beside you in this army of God.
if i had it, i'd do it. sorry. but now my heart has something to plan for.
My hair isn't quite long enough but Locks of Love also needs $1000 to get a hairpiece made.
ReplyDelete6-10 ponytails and $1000. In case anyone would like to help out in a different way on Jan 12!
I'll put the word out too. Can't wait to see all the cute new Noah honoring do's.
Love you!
Chris K.
Adrienne... I have been reading your blog for almost a year now. You have been blessed with the gift to communicate through written word and even more important you are so willing to share it with the world. Praise God! I have shared your blog w/ others, with the hope they will find your honesty and courage a blessing. (some have lost children like you)
ReplyDeleteOn several occasions I have thought about writing to you and never did. However, today I want you to share with you how my heart leaped for joy when I read your post about "Locks for Love". Just this Thursday, December 13th I donated 10 inches of my hair to L4L!! It was the third time I have donated my hair. And I will continue to so as long as God blesses me with thick hair that grows so quickly, even at 48! ; )
I was first introduced to L4L by a friend. You see I am a teacher and 8 years ago January 5th my teaching partner Joann went home (ironically, the same day my mom went home to the Lord-different years) She was young, too young to die... Joann was 28 years old when diagnosed with colon cancer. Given 6 months to live she beat the odds by 3 years and 6 months. Through surgeries and chemo we prayed, we laughed, we cried, we danced, we golfed, and she got married! (An absolutely true love story-another time-maybe)
For two of those three years I watched her bravely start a school year knowing it could be her last. I watched a once vibrant young woman succumb to the dreaded disease. I watched with a heavy heart her hair thin and become brittle (she was a little vain about her hair-like many of us). I watched in complete awe, a young woman face each new day with the kind of strength I didn't know she had. The 3rd year when she was too sick to come back and start the new school year. I knew in my heart my dear friend wasn't going to be in the room next door teaching ever again. I loved her dearly and with the start of each new school year I am reminded of her courage.
It is in her memory I donate my hair. It is an honor and a privilege to do so. Oh Adrienne, it is an amazing blessing to know others can use something we tend to take for granted. The little drummer boy played his drum... we grow our hair! Pa rum pa pum pum!
One day Adrienne I hope you meet Joann. One day, I know we will meet, don't think it will be in this life, but I do hope to meet you in heaven and give you a big hug and maybe get our hair cut together!! Thank you for sharing your heart, thank you for letting me share mine.
May your Christmas be full of peace and joy!
From my heart to yours... Vicki ; )
PS...can't wait to see the pictures!
Jennah's hair is soooo long. I'm going to ask her if she will consider donating on Jan. 12th. I don't know if she's ready to part with it, but if she does it will be from the heart for sure. I'll definitely take those pics and send them to you.
ReplyDeleteLove you.
Measuring my hair now... hope it will grow a littlemore before Jan 12th....
ReplyDeleteI just read this post and was so excited because my girls just donated their hair to Locks of Love this week. Check out my blog to see them.
ReplyDeletegladheimfamily.blogspot.com
Man, I wish I had enough hair! Maybe January 12, 2009!
ReplyDelete