Wigs and Tears
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
Romans 12:15 NIV
I have driven by the shop many times, but didn’t have the courage to pull into the parking lot. But this week I made up my mind to go inside the wig shop. With my cancer treatments scheduled and hair loss a possibility, I wanted to be prepared, just in case. I pulled into the parking lot. Good, I thought, no customers. That will make it easier. I looked down at my bracelet which has “courageous” engraved on it – my word for the year.
I was greeted by a group of sweet ladies. “What can I help you with?” a lady asked, smiling sweetly.
“I need to look at a wig – I start cancer treatments next week,” I said with my voice cracking. “I just want to be prepared if I start losing my hair.” I don’t know if I was trying to convince the sales lady or myself when I uttered those words.
“Well, honey, you sit down here. I think I have something you will love,” she said. As she placed the wig on my head, tears began to fall. It is just hair. I kept telling myself. “It is OK, sweetie. We see this every day. It is a big step in your life,” she said, straightening the wig into place.
As I looked in the mirror, trying to make sense of the new me, a young woman walked in the store. She needed to purchase a cap. Her wig was being made, but her hair was falling out faster than she expected. She commented on how great the wig looked on me. I told her I start treatment the following week, and I am getting prepared just in case. “That’s what I did. I am two weeks in on my treatment,” she said, starting to cry. I got up from the chair and hugged her. “Of all the things that can happen with treatment – I am worried about my hair,” she said. “I feel so bad.” We exchanged names and promised to pray for each other.
As I looked in the mirror it hit me that hair or no hair, I was still God’s beautiful creation. I am more than just my hair. I am an heir to the Kingdom. God will be faithful to me regardless. I bought the wig. It sits on a chair in my bedroom. It is a reminder of God’s love for me and that I am not defined by my hair. He wants me to feel good about myself. As my hair in my brush accumulates, the wig is becoming more of a reality. But I know that God is with me every step of the way holding my hand. Hair or no hair, He loves us!
Mitzie Avera
