Naturally Happy
Well, I did it again. After years of avoiding it, then thinking about it, then several failed attempts…I finally cut my yacky extensions out of my hair and put them in the trash can one twist at a time. It was time to step out on my own and showcase hair that hadn’t been seen in its natural form since the fifth grade.
As I sat in the chair watching sandy brown ringlets fall all around me I got nervous. My hair was way too nappy to stand on its own! What was I thinking? My head began to hurt as my natural wave pattern fought against the blow dryer and comb. What if I don’t like it? What if something important comes up and I have to take pictures? I started thinking of some creative ways to wear those silk scarves my mother gave me a long time ago.
After four hours of parting, blowing, combing and twisting my transition was almost over. I got up to look in the mirror. As it set only a few feet away from me, it took me a lifetime of pressing, relaxing, and damage to finally see myself. I opened my eyes and let out a smile. The image smiling back at me was beautiful! Granted, my stylist did an excellent job on my hair…but the most beautiful thing about the girl in the mirror was that she was free.
When I got home my six year old baby girl was waiting at the door. “Wow mommy! You took your hair out?” she asked. “No baby,” I said, “I’m keeping my hair in because I want it to look just like yours.”
-Taryn
As I sat in the chair watching sandy brown ringlets fall all around me I got nervous. My hair was way too nappy to stand on its own! What was I thinking? My head began to hurt as my natural wave pattern fought against the blow dryer and comb. What if I don’t like it? What if something important comes up and I have to take pictures? I started thinking of some creative ways to wear those silk scarves my mother gave me a long time ago.
After four hours of parting, blowing, combing and twisting my transition was almost over. I got up to look in the mirror. As it set only a few feet away from me, it took me a lifetime of pressing, relaxing, and damage to finally see myself. I opened my eyes and let out a smile. The image smiling back at me was beautiful! Granted, my stylist did an excellent job on my hair…but the most beautiful thing about the girl in the mirror was that she was free.
When I got home my six year old baby girl was waiting at the door. “Wow mommy! You took your hair out?” she asked. “No baby,” I said, “I’m keeping my hair in because I want it to look just like yours.”
-Taryn
