Hair donations of love

Are you sure you want to do this? Are you sure you want to cut it?" \n"Yes, I'm sure," I said. \nAs the hairdresser held the scissors underneath the ponytail holder near the nape of my neck, reluctance and fear filled her eyes. \nShe was afraid to cut the 17 inches of hair that covered my entire back. \nI was scared, too. I had long hair all of my life and didn't really like the short look that much. But I knew that it would be worth it. \nIt was August of 2000 and "the cut" was about to take place. It was like surgery for me. This one big incision would get rid of my distinctive long, curly locks, almost as if they had never existed. \nMy very first haircut was at one of those high-class hair establishments such as Supercuts. My mom had always trimmed my hair for me, so it was only my fourth trip to the salon when "the cut" had taken place. My friend came along with me for support. \nAbout a year earlier, an episode of Oprah aired discussing Locks of Love, a non-profit organization. Locks of Love provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children across the United States under the age of 18 to help restore their confidence and self-esteem. Most of these children have lost their hair because of a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or\ncure. This skin disease affects about 1.7 percent of the population overall, including more than 4 million people in the United States.\nAccording to the requirements on the LOL Web site www.locksoflove.org , at least 10 inches were needed to make a donation. I told myself and everyone else that I would only cut 10 inches. I was afraid of short hair and the look that it would give me. After pondering on the situation, I decided what the heck? I'll chop it all off -- It'll grow back. My friends and family laughed at me in disbelief; "Leena, you'll have long hair for the rest of your life. You'll never cut it." \nAfter the hairdresser did her magic, she held the ponytail up so I could see it. At that moment I knew that my hair was really gone. Buh-bye. The salon was engrossed with "the cut" after it had taken place. \nAn older woman sitting under the dryer looked at me with disappointment. "Oh honey, why did you do that? You're hair was so beautiful." The other hairdressers were passing around my hair, trying it on their own heads as if it would look good on them. This was quite obnoxious.\nI was pleased with the result of the cut even though my hair and I were in shock. I gave the hairdresser a $10 tip. She deserved it. "The cut" was just as traumatic for her as it was for me. Everyone was shocked when they saw the result of the cut. I got a variety of reactions; "You look so much older; This new look really brings out your eyes," and "Wow, you really had some guts to do\nthat."\nI'm growing my hair out again to make this a lifetime cycle. So if you have long hair, men or women, and you're planning on cutting it, make a donation. No matter how ugly you think it is, there are millions of people who will not take it for granted.