Curly Locks

After attending church last Sunday, I was driving by another church and saw a two-year-old toddler... girl running through the parking lot…away from her daddy. She would stop, look back, laugh and run some more. It was clear that her father was trying to coax her back without having to run after her. After all he WAS in his Sunday best. The little girl was heading for the busy street, but he could have out run her anytime. It looked like he was trying to let her have some freedom, some independence.

What I have to say to that father is -never -ever give a curly haired little girl her independence.



The little girl’s curly locks was what I noticed first...then I recognized the attitude nicely attached. You see I have a theory. Females (and maybe males) who have natural born curly hair are um…spirited individuals. The next time you’re in public…just spy on a curly locks female and see if I’m not right. Just don't let her see you.


Have I told you that I have curly hair?


Curly-locks, Curly-locks, wilt thou be mine?


There is something else I need to tell you... I think... I don't want to sound vain...but I have good hair. It’s true. Others have told me. I can give you the number of my hair stylist. She will tell you, I have good hair. It’s thick. It’s curly. It’s …well I forget what color. But my hair has always been a challenge in my life. And my theory holds true with me anyway and MY curly locks. When I "allow it", if I can wrestle it, my curly hair gives me attitude. It is and always has been a definite struggle of nature versus nurture...me and my hair.










My life did not begin with curly locks. In fact I had very little hair.












Thou shalt not wash the dishes, nor yet feed the swine;


My genetic pool included two very handsome people who got together (JW can't think about that, it burns her brain). My mother started out with thick, dark, straight (unless she pin-curled it) hair. Then dad…thick, curly, red hair. Did this little girl have any chance for hair that she could comb through easily? Or hair that she could each morning shake back and forth (like in the commercials) and have each strand fall in place? Or...or hair that wouldn't, when she stepped outside on a hot steamy Missouri summer night, expand bigger than the doorway she just exited.


Ok, I might be exaggerating a bit there.


But sit on a cushion, and sew a fine seam

Are you thanking God yet for your tame hair?











My mother must have tried very hard to keep this hair orderly.





And this hair





It didn't get any tamer as I got older. (Somebody tell me why I have one pant leg up and one down, pleeeeeeeeeeease tell me.)







And older.


But I think I've come to terms with my "blessing". Especially when someone told me they paid big bucks for curly locks...like mine.


And feed upon strawberries, sugar, and cream.

I like my hair these days curly or straight. But I have spent a lot of time, energy and money trying to change something that was just fine the way it was. Am I the only one? How about you? Was there something you wanted to change about yourself growing up?

PS My sweet mother will never agree that my hair was trouble growing up. She loves my hair because... she loves me.

Curly-locks, Curly-locks, wilt thou be mine?
Thou shalt not wash the dishes, nor yet feed the swine;
But sit on a cushion, and sew a fine seam

And feed upon strawberries, sugar, and cream.

Excuse me while I go sit on a cushion and feed upon fruit, artificial sweetener and a little half and half.






(Source: of nursery rhyme http://www.apples4theteacher.com/)

Comments

Linda said…
So enjoy reading your blog. And I notice that you follow Pioneer Woman! I am planning to go to her book signing in Dallas on Dec. 1. You are going on my favorites list! Such inspiration. . .
Thank you, Linda, for making me one of your favorites. Yes, I can't help but read PW. She is funnnny. That will be exciting to meet her. Have fun.
Joanne said…
Would you look at those pictures ... you have definitely run the hair gamut! Very defining indeed. Mine's relatively straight, but I did go the perm route back in my 20s.
Anonymous said…
Teressa, how pretty you are. I love you and your posts; very sincere.

Bags of loves. Keep very well...
Joanne, I've really wanted straight hair all my life, but curly is ok too. I have no idea why I did it, but I've had one perm and regretted it, terribly.

Yagmur, Thank you for your nice comments. You take care as well.
White Dove said…
Hi JW....I've never worried too much about my hair. My mother tried in the early days to add to nature's endowment by twisting the locks into tortured ringlets...(She gave up!) Now however it's a different story...age has turned my nut brown hair into a rather coarse silvery grey...I wear it short...no trouble at all... a kind of wash & wear style which suits me just fine x
Unknown said…
I have baby fine wavy hair and take hair vitamins 3 times a day to try and keep what little hair I have. I was never blessed with full hair and have a husband who insists that I keep it long. I had tried Rogaine for years, but it is in an alcohol base which would cause my hair to dry out and break.

The father should have kept a closer eye on his little girl. It only takes a second for something to happen.
WD, I love silvery hair. Someday (against the wishes of my daughter and my sweet hairdresser), I will embrace my silvery hair.

Judy, I will be more appreciative of my wild hair in the future.
I don't think I've ever seen that top picture before. I am happy that my favorite picture of your big hair made it onto this post!! You must've started the one pant leg up trend. ;)

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