Honor & Remember [& cutting pride]

Blog Vision Reborn

You never know what influence you’ll have on other people. Maybe I stopped writing in my blog because I didn’t like to presume I was inspiring anyone. When it comes to pride I usually ere on the ‘thou art holier than me’ side, and judging others when I am in no place to do so. In reality, I should just live in a way that makes me happy. Writing makes me happy and I want to share my thoughts… Whether they inspire, or not – in the end doesn’t really matter. (but if I’m tip toeing around what others may think of me, I’ll never act in a way that may end up inspiring someone.)

Chef Brad came to visit my family on his way to do a show in Washington. I want to thank him for inspiring me by the simple act of sharing his blog and poetry with me.

This doesn’t mean I’ll be posting regularly, but I’m definitely going to write when I feel prompted to.

The new ‘do’

If you know me or have followed my story, you’ll know I have mentioned a certain Risa Whitaker often. It is because the 18 year girl is still a light in my life, despite having only been part of mine for a few years. “I feel like I’ve known you forever,” we would tell each other in awe.

It was Risa's birthday last month: October 14. We used to have a tradition in our group of friends to go to Big Town Hero each time it was someone’s birthday. Recently it was reiterated to me the importance of finding ways to honor those we miss. My aunt told me that she still mourns her best friend that passed away; the hurt stays the same, but the sad is okay - as long as it's balanced with the happy. So, I decided that every October 14^th I would do something in honor of Risa Whitaker.

Me: Sarah, Baby Resa: Toby, Michael: Goblin King

This year I cut all my hair off! Yes, it’s now November (a tad late to be exactly on Risa's birthday), but I had to have long hair for my long waited Sarah/Labyrinth costume...since Risa was one of my friends who understood my obsession of Labyrinth (readily quoting it with me, you know, stoking the fire), I figured she’d understand that I postponed my hair event till after Halloween.

Thank you Jen for my awesome haircut!!!

I found an organization that donates wigs to kids with hair loss. Since I magically had 14+ inches to donate, I shipped it off! I don’t say this to brag, but to reiterate the way I decided to honor Risa, who passed away of cancer. She went through chemo treatments and lost all of her hair at one point.

My 14in of hair that I got to donate

Cutting off my pride

Lastly, the idea of cutting off my hair was spurred by a moment I had a month or two ago when someone complimented my long hair. The only word I can use to describe the feeling I had was… vanity. It was a surprising feeling and afterword it had me thinking about my hair and the pride I held in it. I decided that perhaps, as much as I love my long hair, it would always grow back if I cut it. So, like many things we must ‘cut’ from our lives – I decided I should cut my hair, start fresh. 

Though the screaming child in the background keeps me somewhat humble, it's the things we can control that build and change our vision on life.