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Tuesday, July 13, 2010

And Umber Tries on a New Look

hair1

And I tell you truly: it feels amazing. Yesterday I took myself out for a little [more than a] trim at the Beauty Bar and left with the shortest hair I've ever seen on this face of mine. And the icing on the cake? I was able to donate a full 12 inches and maybe more to Locks of Love which made the decision twenty times better.

hair3

But the heart of the matter is this:
I'll be starting Phase Two of my treatment in a couple of weeks (chemotherapy). Back at the start of this whole cancer business I never thought the idea of losing hair would be one that would traumatize me. After all, there are SO many other things one could spend their time worrying over and in my specific case, SO many things worth focusing on and celebrating. The idea of stressing over the potential (but not absolute) loss of hair seemed light years away and honestly, like a bit of vanity that I could do without. After all, it's only hair, right?
Well the answer is wrong. Little thoughts would creep up on me without warning, the fear that I might be eating out and leave a long chunk of hair on the seat behind me, or that my thickish mane would begin thinning and dropping away to a few straggly strands. And then the dreams kicked in, as fear always plays out in my subconscious and I would shake myself away one hand on my head checking, always checking.

I'm done with the worry.
And I'm certainly done with sitting passively and wondering if the worst might happen.
So I rode out to meet my fear, to head it off in the middle of the valley before it edged any closer to my heart. It felt fierce. It felt incredibly empowering. It reminded me that I make the call on my own strength.
And I am a force to be reckoned with.

What I didn't expect was to love it as much as I do. I think this whole short hair business is pretty flipping sexy.

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Now I just need to invest in more huge earrings. Because I'm rocking a new huge me.

41 comments:

Desiree said...

Wow, what a difference! What a fantastic new do ^_^

And yes, big earrings are a must ;)

Snailentina said...

Tres chic! so adorable y muy sexy :) Kudos to the stylist too, you look fabulous and ready for world domination.

candacemorris said...

I love how short hair tussles! You look younger (if that were even possible!).

Can't wait to see it in person soooon!

candacemorris said...

great new blog header, too...btw.

MrsLittleJeans said...

You look Maavelous my daaling, just maavelous! Inside and out!

xxoo

Lizzie Derksen said...

Goodness. Succexy. Your hair looks just as brave as it is.

Cassie said...

Beautiful you! It looks great. High five to being as fierce as you are and for roaring to meet that thing head on. You are wonderful.

Best, cbm

tattooedblogger said...

You are stunning!

Emily L. said...

Rock on lady! You need to jump and do an air guitar!

If you need some womanly empowerment, may I highly suggest Sex and the City with Samantha's various hairdos (and colors)?

Caitlin said...

Wow. you look great! Not everyone can pull off a short shag like that, you have the perfect face for it.
So glad your hair was long enough to donate too :)

she said...

oh GASP.
oh SWOON.
oh DOUBLE TAKE.

riding out alongside you, flying a flag of love, letting loose a battle cry powerful enough to move mountains and level that nauseatingly rollicking landscape of fear.

oh GORGEOUS.

emilyclare said...

Ooo la la your hair is so delicious Dove, truly! It frames that beautiful bright-eyed face of yours so well.

Nichole Loiacono said...

It looks AMAZING!!! It suits you perfectly!

Allisunny S. said...

Omigosh you are truly gorgeous: those eyes!!!!
That skin!!!!
xoxox,
Allison

BC said...

And her husband absolutely LOVES IT! So freaking hawt. And here I thought I loved her long hair.

I don't you just love that cute new little summer dress????

BC said...

(disregard above gramatical error. "And don't you just love...")

jordan said...

you look bombshell drop dead gorgeous. short hair has a way of making people's best features stand out - your eyes and lips are to die for!! i'm glad you went for it - can't wait to see all the permutations and combinations of style!!
xo
j
ps LOOOVE the new header.

UmberDove said...

Consider battle cries and air guitars preformed!

You KNOW how to make a gal feel GOOD!

Anonymous said...

Woo, LOVE the new look!

Andrea said...

Light...so you can fly easier...
Sharing your feathers to help others fly too...
A wonderful thing.
Best wishes...
xo
Andrea
{you look lovely}

Johanna said...

you look amazing!

AppaloosaMoon said...

...OH so vintage Bree Daniels from the movie KLUTE!...
so refreshing...i absolutely LOVE it!!!

Joyful said...

You look beautiful in short hair. Sassy and sexy :-) My sister also cut her hair almost exactly like yours when she was undergoing chemo. Guess what? Her hair did thin a little but she didn't lose a lot at all and her hair continued to look cute and sassy throughout treatment. I pray the same for you.

Melissa said...

I'm convinced you could rock just about anything. You definitely need to invest in BIG earrings (tho you're off to a good start;) and shoulder dusters. Mmm. Doesn't short hair feel refreshing, like ALL the time?!

lulu said...

damn straight.
love, love, and love!

Taddyporter said...

You are so incredibly darling I had to come back and look for the third time today!!!! striking and most definitely fierce RAWR.

Unknown said...

You look beautiful (impossible for you to not).

I loved this post, your words, your honesty, your passion and your bravery.

I am all prayers for you.

xx

kerin rose said...

as my dear hubby used to say to me, "hair does not make the woman"....and he was a man to know...

can you say, "Sophia Loren,Italian movie star sexy......?!"

just look how it shows off those old soul eyes of yours!

oxoxo

kerin rose said...
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kerin rose said...
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kerin rose said...
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sylvestris said...

What a perfect cut for you...makes already large eyes look humongous!

:)
Dorothy

Sara said...

You are positively glowing!! And I'm LOVING your new blog header too.
Perfect for summer and perfect for giving a lion roar battle cry!
Brilliant!

Unknown said...

une parisienne. sophisticated. sexy. assured. who would have thought you could be described thus. oh, we did. we've known all along.

calamityjane(t) said...

you are ADORABLE!!
not to mention hugely inspiring.
big congrats on your approach to this challenge.
you're already the winner.

The Noisy Plume said...

WOOT!!!!!
LOVE YOU!

Anonymous said...

Ahhhh, you are heartbreakingly beautiful,

I love you lady,

I have you in my prayers!

Adrienne said...

Oh, Kelly....Your EYES! ~beautiful~

xoxo,

Adrienne

Kirsten said...

Had I that kind of self-assuredness at your age I could've avoided SO many wrong turns! I've never commented, but check in often. Don't know why your short hair post is the one that made me respond, but it certainly suits you! You are cool, creative, and precious. And a true poet. Thanks for inspiring me to jump into the cold water!

Cat said...

welcome to the short hair fold! You look amazing (already did). That short hair will be righteously rocked.

Gilding Lilies said...

You look wonderful. I wish you well my friend. I was touched and inspired by your post, thank you.