Hair Changes

In the last year my look has changed quite drastically.

I had long hair for the longest time.  I probably found my identity in my hair much more than I should have.

I've had variations of length in the past, but all in the 'long' category.

At home in Illinois early last summer

I'm on the left... I've always had long hair

I had the opportunity to work with one of the best ladies I ever met.  Everyone loved her.  She was full of joy and peace.  The day she passed away I decided to shave my head (it was an idea my friends and I had already discussed).

This was the group that did it as well.

The group that I shaved my hair with:: some brave people

I donated 10 inches to Locks of Love

I went first and it was pretty easy to do the deed.

I must say that it wouldn't have been that way without a completely supportive husband.  Brad had actually told me for the longest time that he thought I should shave my head.  He was actually the one wielding the razor for most of the night.


It was cold and weird.

But it was
so
freeing

I now go around and tell everyone that they should shave their heads.

Here is a picture of me, in my wedding dress, with the shorter (although a bit grown out) style.

The fact that I was able to share such a moving experience with friends and have a huge support group of gals that had literally gone through the same thing helped.  It was weird when people came to the camp and found most of the workers bald.  

Sometimes I don't feel feminine, or pretty, but that happened even before the shave.

Those feelings are less and less though.

I feel like I've changed along with my hair.  Stronger maybe?  More daring (though still nervously cautious about most things).

How I look still matters to me.  I still think about how others view me, but I now know that I can handle weird looks.  I can look different from the norm and still be great.  

Maybe great because of that.

And now I'm thinking of making another change.

I've also always been a brunette.  Fiercely brunette.

Maybe it was because I was such a nerd in school, but I always fought for the coolness of brown hair and enforced the stereotype of the blondes. 

I was a kid then, trying to be funny.

A few nights ago, I began thinking of all the amazing platinum pixie cuts I've been seeing.  I think, if there ever was a time to go with a different look, it would be with short, short hair. 

So, what do you think of Ashley as a platinum blonde?

Crazy, right?

But, I'm considering it and would love to know what you think.

EEK