Hair Today... A Story of Loss and Found

There are just a couple things in a woman’s life that will bring her to tears and close to hysteria.  No, it isn’t when she graduates, marries, gives birth or any major milestone in her children’s lives can hold a candle to this outpouring of emotion.  Divorce hardly even can muster this kind of impact.  I am talking the really serious stuff – when a woman loses her hairdresser.

Not that it is all about me, but when I got the word (good news travels quickly, bad news even more swiftly), from a trained and well informed husband of a friend of a friend that there had been an exodus of sorts from the hair salon (my!!! salon) I was devastated.  What was I going to do without the one person who I let run their fingers freely in my hair?  The individual in whom I trust my outward appearance and that my reputation is staked upon?  My confidant, who was patient, kind and nodded knowingly at the appropriate times as I spilled my guts and was invigorated, animated and participatory when we dished about the goings-on of small town, USA had flown the coop.

The moment of betrayal from a pseudo family member was balanced with the knowledge that there had had to be a good reason for a departure with nary a call, after all the quality time we had spent together.  The good times, the surprising moments, a singular disappointment and the triumphs we shared forever created a history that was uniquely ours.  No matter what financial outlay was involved, it is cheaper than therapy and the results more instantaneous and gratifying (it is as good for my love muffin as it is for me).

My natural blondeness was at risk and my life flashed in front of me.  Life with roots, the onslaught of extended grayness and split ends kept me restless during the day and awake at night.  The sentiment I was feeling is hard to put into words.  Not that you can’t find someone new, but after the years of nurturing, experimentation and success, the thought of starting over was more than I have the energy to put forth.  When you find a good thing, you want to stick with it.

What’s a girl to do?  Not panic and start making phone calls!  Luckily the “network” had already been working overtime on the subject and was hot on the trail of finding our lost amigo.  One hot tip led to another and within minutes, success was had.

Feeling like a stalker, I went in hunt of that one person I feel I truly need in my life.  I pursued my prey and pounced with eagerness when I saw the familiar face and smile.  I felt warm and snuggly as our cocoon of hair designer and client became one again.  I didn’t get the scoop on the how’s, why’s and sordid details of what had happened to cause the quick departure and it didn’t matter, I had him again and a time for my next appointment.  I can go back to “normalcy” knowing life is good and my blondeness will continue to live on.

Cynthia A. McClelland, curious observer of the obvious with interpretations of the oddities of daily life.  Mother, wife and lover of the furry, resides in the north Lake Tahoe area.

Cynthia A. McClelland © 2003-