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Giving More Than Thanks

I wasn't going to post again until after Thanksgiving, but a woman always has the prerogative to change her mind, so I did. ;)

Two years ago, my daughter cut eleven inches off her hair and donated it in honor of a family member who was dying of cancer.

This past summer, it had grown to below her shoulders again. I asked her if she'd like to get it cut, citing a shorter style would be cooler in our sweltering Houston climate. She declined, saying she wanted to grow it out and donate it again this November.

Like mothers do, I nodded and agreed, figuring she'd forget or change her mind by fall.
I was wrong.

Last week, we went down to the local salon at daughter's insistence and had her well-past-shoulder-length hair cut to just below her chin. She mailed it off to Locks of Love, an organization that makes hairpieces for children with long-term hair loss from things like alopecia, brain stem radiation, and burns.

Donating is easy ($$ or hair). You just go to the website, print a donation form, fill it out, and mail it in with the hair. (We put the hair in a large zipper baggie, then place that with the form inside a mailer.) The hair must be rubber-banded into ponytails and cannot be bleached or color treated. If the hair is at least ten inches long, they can use it. Pieces less than ten inches and donations of gray hair are sold to offset costs.

My fifteen-year-old can be, well, fifteen. But sometimes she shows me a thing or two about character, selflessness, and generosity.




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I hope this finds you all having a great
holiday week with your families. 

Happy Thanksgiving. :)

Comments

  1. What a wonderful thing to do, you should be justly proud of your girl. Hope you enjoy a Happy Thanksgiving.

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  2. Caring and generous, just like her mom. (:

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  3. What a daughter! She taught a lesson on the real meaning of thankfulness and giving with such a thoughtful sacrifice. Many hugs to her and to you. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
    M.L. Swift, Writer

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  4. What a wonderful idea. When I'm ready to have mine cut short again, I'll definitely donate.

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  5. That was a really wonderful thing for her to do!

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  6. Aww, that is the sweetest thing ever! Your daughter is so smart and so generous. She touched my heart! I'm wishing your family a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  7. How sweet of her to do! I know how proud you must be.

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  8. What a considerate and selfless act! And she's only 15? You must be so proud.
    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
    Writer In Transit

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  9. What a beautiful thing to do for others. It speaks high of her heart. Congratulations and Happy thanksgiving to your and your family. Dragon Hugs!

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  10. What a sweet and wonderful thing to do!

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  11. It's a great thing to donate to! I've donated before, but for now my hair stays long... maybe the baby grabbing it will encourage me to donate again. But I can't ever convince myself to cut to a medium style... if I'm going to cut any of it off, I'd better cut off 10 inches!

    Props to your giving daughter. :)

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  12. Oh I've heard about Locks of Love and it seems like such a wonderful organization. You must be so proud of your daughter, kudos to her!

    I hope you and your family have a very Happy Thanksgiving, Melissa. :)

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  13. Your daughter has beautiful hair, and an even more beautiful heart! You should be so proud of her.
    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  14. This is beautiful! You've raised a wonderful daughter, Melissa.

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  15. Not gonna lie; reading this got me a little onion-eyed. Congratulations on raising a beautiful human being, Melissa. And congrats to your daughter for having a mom who's raising her right! <3

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  16. This makes me smile so much, your daughter is amazing! She must be following a wonderful example in her mother :D

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  17. That is SO incredibly sweet. Way to go to your daughter, and I wish I had hair that grew that fast! These teens, eh? Mine surprises me all the time too.

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  18. Two thumbs up for your awesome daughter!
    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  19. Wow... I love this. This is inspiring. Thank you for sharing it - and perfect for the holiday :)

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  20. Love that she's such a kind and generous spirit. Great job Mom!

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  21. You know that old saying about acorns and trees ... she's doing you proud, M! You know how I feel about this cause, and it warms my heart to no end seeing a young person who "gets it". :)

    Hope y'all have a fantastic Thanksgiving!

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  22. great job raising a great daughter, mom :-)
    ps... A-Cav is Alex's new nickname, so he gave me the M-Koo :-)
    happy Thanksgiving!!

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  23. Way to go, Mom. You're raising an amazing kiddo!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  24. You have a wonderful daughter who understands the power of compassion. I can sense how proud you are. And I hope you enjoyed your early Thanksgiving, Melissa.

    Gary :)

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