October 1, 2010
On September 30 2010 – exactly twenty-two years after we met and just six days shy of our 20th wedding anniversary, my husband, Dave Killen, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Lymphoma.
Knowing that he might lose his hair from chemo, he asked my father, a barber, to shave his hair down. It was probably one of the most emotional episodes our town barbershop has seen in awhile. Dave’s rationale was a mater of control. While chemo may have his way with him, he could at least control how much of his hair it would take.
In an act of support and love, I decided to also shore my locks down. We were in this fight together and I needed an outward symbol of our melded courage. Dave always loved my hair long. And while I had worn it short many years ago after our children were born, it had been free and flowing for at least a decade.
October 25, 2010
I knew in doing this, I also wanted to help someone else dealing with cancer. This disease takes so much, including one’s sense of self. If one simple act for my husband could also help a stranger, then it was definitely the right thing to do.
In considering options, my hairdresser suggested Beautiful Lengths. She knew of my professional relationship with several divisions of Procter & Gamble and thought it would be most fitting – especially as Beautiful Lengths serves men as well as women and children. So on October 15, we said good-bye to the old me and had a blast in the salon. Liberating is the only word that accurately describes that hour in her chair.
When faced with change, it is natural to cling to that which is most familiar. It’s the ego fighting hard to maintain status quo. However, there is something to be said about letting go and facing forward. Change looks scary because it is unfamiliar. But change also has the ability to reveal some pretty incredible things.
