Mary Travers had the hair I wanted when I was a kid. Stick-straight, smooth, silky.
Mine had too much wave, too much body. Even though my father used to say it was my crowning glory; I hated it. The Brazilians and Japanese hadn’t invented their magical treatments– so to get Mary’s hair, I had to use the tools at my disposal: hood dryers, huge rollers, my mother’s iron and ironing board.
When I got to college, I let it go and let it flow.
…. until I started appearing on TV. My work demanded a more professional hairstyle….and my professional hairstyle demanded more work.
Through many more styles and many more years, I finally grew to love my hair…..right about the time this picture was taken. Right before I found out I had cancer and I would lose it .
Which is how I learned there is no such thing as a bad hair day…. when you have any hair at all.
Since then I’ve had nothing but good hair days….whether my hair had chemo curl and just enough to make little Mamie Eisenhower bangs….
until now….when it’s way down below my waist…..and completely age-inappropriate.
I look like a hippie who stepped out of a time warp.
V loves it. And even though it drives me crazy to comb through the tangles, I still love it too; every last inch. Even more, I love the idea that in a few hours, 10 of those inches will go to someone else who needs it. I can’t think of a better way to start Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Denise Danches Fisher says
Relax…Remember Grace..if she “don’t care” neither should we! LOL
Darryle Pollack says
Thanks, I’m leaving now and feeling very relaxed…..in a state of Grace.
Susan @ 2KoP says
Love this. Love your hair. I’m a llong-hair girl myself. I think your donation is a lovely thing to do.
Iris Charney Sullivan says
lovelove love what you are doing. !!!
If I had hair I’d do the same thing.
You are a wonderful role model for others.
xoxox
Darryle Pollack says
Thank you—love it too!
Maureen@IslandRoar says
Great gift. My younger daughter, whose hair grows like a weed, has done this twice.
I think your hair is gorgeous!
Karen says
I remember your hair….I was always envious…..mine was long but STRAIGHT! What a wonderful thing you are doing. Mine just doesn’t seem to grow anymore. Stays at shoulder length….think the dogs might be chewing on it at night LOL.
Gail says
That is a wonderful thing to do and at least you are healthy and will have it grow back, so you can do it again….
Darryle Pollack says
Karen– don’t we all want what we don’t have??
Maureen—my daughter did it too about 6 months ago, in fact I wrote a post about it.
Gail–I agree, so lucky I am healthy to do this—at least once…
Thank you all for the compliments on my hair—have to admit I love it too–or I should say—LOVED it. What’s left of it–will post picture soon.
priscilla says
I didn’t know you ironed your hair back in the day – me too! Also Curl Free is a product I recall. Z has donated her hair, to Locks of Love. Jimmy Carter looked a little taken aback in that photo – probably you were talking Middle East politics. Now it’s time for you to blog about Sarah’s going Rogue — again!
Darryle Pollack says
Ha ha, Carter had just made the comment about “lusting in his heart” so I always thought that explained his face in that picture.
As for She-who-must-not-be-named, I thought I was over her–and wish the country was, too. Also wish I could stop her from going Rogue— again—but not ready yet to go along with her.
Julie C. Simon says
You’ve inspired me! I’ve been letting my hair grow, and although I have a way to go to reach your length, I’m going to donate to Locks of Love. I know several people here in Miami who have done it. And believe me — I will have LOTS of locks when I’m ready.Wow — small world. I just found out…. I went to the website, http://www.locksoflove.org, and see that my friends, Kirk Simon and Karen Goodman have produced a documentary, The Kindest Cut, to premiere TONIGHT on HBO Family!
Darryle Pollack says
Julie , that’s fabulous—the documentary and your plan to donate your hair. AT “our” age we’re especially lucky we have the hair to do it—so it’s a great way to give thanks for just that!
Keep me posted and thanks for letting me know about the show.
Rissa Watkins says
I know exactly how you feel Darryle. I miss my hair. It has been 2 years post transplant, and I have several bald patches. My doctor thinks they won’t grow back at all. I miss my hair, even the bad hair days!
For those considering donating to locks of love- please choose a different charity. Over $6 million dollars worth of donations are unaccounted for and they claim 80% of the donations are unusable and process them to sell them for profit. Here are better organizations:
http://www.wigsforkids.org/
http://www.childrenwithhairloss.us/
http://www.wigs4kids.org/
source:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2013/05/13/locks-of-love-6-million-of-hair-donations-unaccounted-for-each-year/
Rissa
Jeanne says
Long, short, your hair always was and will be beautiful…but what shines brightest is your wonderful heart