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Early morning encouragement!
I really like working in the hotel industry, because there's never a dull moment on my job -- and sometimes I get inspired and encouragement from the most unlikely sources.
For example, my hotel houses layover crews from Delta Airlines. A lot of the pilots and flight attendants come in on the same flights pretty regularly, so the opportunity is there to get to know them. And as always, the opportunity is always there to educate them about alopecia.
The past three mornings, I have received compliments from two pilots and a flight attendant, all of whom marvel not just at my skin and makeup (because you know I keep it sharp and on point!), but also take the time to ask why I wear scarves (and usually marvel that I manage to find one to match every outfit.) When I tell them about alopecia and how I live with it, they're not sympathetic at all -- rather, they all have unanimously said that being bald becomes me -- and that they probably wouldn't recognize me if I came in tomorrow with a head of hair. It's rare that I get a compliment for being bald, but I think I could get used to this.
Another guest this morning spent 30 minutes talking to me about how he chose to be bald when his hair started falling out (MPB, not AA), but quite frankly said he wished he could be bald AND be as good-looking as I am, LOL. He also said quite bluntly that I had the personality to go around being bald and look comfortable doing it. We exchanged skin care tips and places to get scarves and bandanas, and I even showed him how to tie his in a knot like I wear mine. A little feminine, maybe, but this guy is a 47-year-old biker who looked like he was pretty comfortable in his manly man-ness.
It always puts a smile on my face when I get the chance to bring awareness and clarity to someone who didn't have it before; it brightens my day even more to see that people -- total strangers -- actually find me to be a beautiful person regardless of whether or not I have hair on my head.
I hope my day-brightener puts a smile on your face today and makes your day a little brighter too!
For example, my hotel houses layover crews from Delta Airlines. A lot of the pilots and flight attendants come in on the same flights pretty regularly, so the opportunity is there to get to know them. And as always, the opportunity is always there to educate them about alopecia.
The past three mornings, I have received compliments from two pilots and a flight attendant, all of whom marvel not just at my skin and makeup (because you know I keep it sharp and on point!), but also take the time to ask why I wear scarves (and usually marvel that I manage to find one to match every outfit.) When I tell them about alopecia and how I live with it, they're not sympathetic at all -- rather, they all have unanimously said that being bald becomes me -- and that they probably wouldn't recognize me if I came in tomorrow with a head of hair. It's rare that I get a compliment for being bald, but I think I could get used to this.
Another guest this morning spent 30 minutes talking to me about how he chose to be bald when his hair started falling out (MPB, not AA), but quite frankly said he wished he could be bald AND be as good-looking as I am, LOL. He also said quite bluntly that I had the personality to go around being bald and look comfortable doing it. We exchanged skin care tips and places to get scarves and bandanas, and I even showed him how to tie his in a knot like I wear mine. A little feminine, maybe, but this guy is a 47-year-old biker who looked like he was pretty comfortable in his manly man-ness.
It always puts a smile on my face when I get the chance to bring awareness and clarity to someone who didn't have it before; it brightens my day even more to see that people -- total strangers -- actually find me to be a beautiful person regardless of whether or not I have hair on my head.
I hope my day-brightener puts a smile on your face today and makes your day a little brighter too!
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Comment by panuelo girl on August 4, 2009 at 1:13pm
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I love this! Thanks for sharing, it's clear that other people reflect how you feel about your hair and yourself. If you feel confident and self-assured, if you feel beautiful and worthy, that's how people see you. It's a great reminder for all of us, not to wallow, but to figure out a way to move on and accept. Beautiful.
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Comment by kastababy on August 5, 2009 at 7:33am
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I get my scarves at the Korean hair supply stores -- they usually cater to African-American hair, and they sell wigs too, but I can't see myself spending $30 - $60 for a wig that obviously looks like a wig. For example, the wig I'm wearing in my profile pic cost me about $350 and you couldn't tell it was a wig unless I told you, right?
When you go to the hair supply shops, be prepared to browse and hunt for a while -- sometimes depending on supply or who's been browsing before you you have to hunt and peck for them. But it's worth it -- if you need help, ask someone for the long head wrap scarves and they'll point them out to you.
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Hey Aimee, my Mom gets me a lot of my scarves at Goodwill stores, you have to shop around b/c it's hit or miss at each store. I've also found scarves at Banana Republic, Eddie Bauer, Coldwater Creek, Hobby Lobby, Nike, REI, J Crew...Keep at it, and tell your friends and family to be on the lookout. You'll find lots over time. But it does take time.
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