Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Growing My Own...Tuesday Torah


It's amazing how people are impressed by something that you can grow on your own...

This was me, on Sunday morning (okay, the picture was taken Saturday night):

Thanks to some good genes, I have a lot of hair. And it's curly. And I like it...which is something of a change from high school and even college, when I hated it.

But, I digress.

Since I've arrived in Chicago, I have had 2 haircuts (the pulpit) of our synagogue. Each time, I did it with a group of kids and adults who were also donating 10 inches of their hair to Locks of Love.

This time, it was a little different, since we're out of our building.

There was still a group of kids and adults who were doing it with me. But it felt different, somehow, to be standing on the stage of Highland Park High School's auditorium, where we've been holding our Sunday School.

And yet, at that moment of the cut, the whole room felt holy to me.

(btw, my kippah says "ima" for you non-Hebrew readers out there)

Each time I say it's going to be my last haircut of that magnitude. But then I start to grow it...and it just feels so right. After all, how many of us can grow our own mitzvot? It seems almost a shame not to do it.

That's my Torah this week.
What's yours? (Leave your link in the comments)

P.S. Check out my newest crush.

14 comments:

Marci said...

First of all - I have always admired those who donate to Locks of Love - good for you! It is truly a beautiful mitzvah that seems to make such a profound impact on someone's life.

Second - I am SO ENVIOUS of your gorgeous hair! My hair is barely wavy - really mostly straight. I spent so much time and money during my adolescence on perms and curlers. I accept it more now, but I still get my hair done curly whenever I can :) Enjoy your blessing!

Robin said...

What a wonderful thing to do, a real mitzvah. A needy child out there is going to have a gorgeous head of hair.

The shorter style really suits you, too.

Anonymous said...

You cut it? Ohhh, it's just so beautiful. Someone else is gonna love it. Good for you.

Jendeis said...

Delurking to say that I love the new do! :)

Anonymous said...

Again let me say how much I admire you. Not because you can grow gorgeous hair because you are right that ultimately you have no control over that and certainly shouldn' get the credit. God and great genes are responsible. What you choose to do (three times now) is what people admire. A selfless, wonderful chesed shel emet.

You are such a blessing, my bosom friend.

And Robin is right -- you look fabulous with the new 'do.

Anonymous said...

The grass grows by itself. But shame on me, it's always time to cut my hair! Long/short best not to entangle in it.

Vered said...

Well, getting a GORGEOUS, cute haircut AND performing a Mitzvah - really, you can't go wrong with that, can you? :-)

It's interesting how we become more accepting of ourselves as we grow older. But I still struggle with my own thick, wavy hair.

Miriam said...

WONDERFUL!!!

I've been growing mine out for Locks of Love. (As someone who loves my hair short, this is a lot harder than I ever thought it would be.)

Mia said...

What a gracious and loving gift you have given to some little child! Your hair is beautiful (long and short). I have donated to locks of love twice. It was always an emotional experience for me as well. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Ilanna said...

I've had a few friends make a similar donation. however while I have curly and thick hair (it's on the fine side though) it never grows long enough for a donation. By the time it gets an inch or so past my shoulders, it stops (or the ends start breaking off) so I never get long enough to donate... Alas. I do donations in other ways. :) Wonderful Mitzvah though and the new cut is adorable - and just in time for summer! :)

Anonymous said...

Someone is going to be incredibly blessed by your gift of love. Your hair is beautiful and what a beautiful gift.

Thanks for stopping by my site today!

Scribbit said...

I'll say--definitely a gorgeous head of hair. Love those blessed genes :)

Cat said...

That looks great!

I've been thinking about LoL (my husband has donated in the past). I'm just not sure my hair is healthy enough to be worth their while.

jen said...

TeeHee - I always wanted dark, curly hair. Now I'm happy with the blond straight stuff that God has given me, but your hair is gorgeous!