"I Like Your Hair"

Last week in the grocery store, this sweet little girl, probably around 6 years old, looks directly into my eyes and with her big, jack-0-lantern smile says to me genuinely "I really like your hair." It was really a sincere compliment. She made me smile big.

Today, after my treatment, we went to Chic-fil-A and I'm sitting in the playland listening to Mason and this 5 year old girl play.  I hear her whisper to Mason "Does your mom have a disease?" Mason replies, "She was sick but her hair will be back soon."  They quickly moved on to talking about their pets and favorite Avengers. It broke my heart... Him having to explain my appearance.  On several occasions, Richard and I have talked about how I'm glad this has all happened before he was aware enough to be embarrassed of his mom with the silly haircut.  I was also extremely proud of him for the confident answer he gave.  I may have cried in Chik-fil-A.

One thing I love about kids is their brutal honesty.  And that brutal honesty comes from a place of wanting to gain understanding.  If they have something on their minds they say it. It's refreshing.  How many times have you had something on your mind, particularly something kind or that is coming from a loving place, and not said it because perhaps you felt it wasn't your business?  I know I'm guilty!  It's somewhat risky to say something, even kind things.  We think "I'll sound corny", "It's none of my business" or "What if I offend them?" 

Which brings me to my new friend Dolly.  Get this, she works at Starbucks in Target (2 of my favorite places!). She is super friendly and never judges me for getting my coffee and wandering around Target with nothing in my cart for an hour.  She also looks me in the eye, something people tend to less of when you have a big-bald head. Last week, she gave me the most genuine compliment: She acknowledged my struggle (let's be honest my struggle is pretty obvious) and told me that she admired my attitude.  She sees me once, sometimes thrice a week, and mentioned that clearly I'm going through something and still have a smile on my face.  The fact that she took the risk to say something means so much...  Just that someone acknowledges the struggle, because let's be honest: when I'm rocking the bald the struggle is pretty obvious.  Thanks Dolly!  See you next Tuesday, or sooner if I can sneak away for an hour long Starbucks/Target vacation.

Bottom line: Why are we so cautious to say things that might mean the world to someone else?  Perhaps we should all be more child-like and say what is on our hearts if those thoughts are coming from a good place and well intended?  For me, I'm going to work on acknowledging someone's struggle... And if a genuine kind thought comes to my head then I'm going to build up the courage to say it, even if I sound cheesy, stupid, stalkerish, whatever.  You never know, it might make someone's day.

My new friend Dolly.  She always brings a smile to my face... And always hands me a great cup of coffee... Coincidence, I think not!