Maybe Dreadlocks Aren't So Bad...

Several years ago, I worked for the State Police, in the Firearms Unit. While I was there, I worked with a man, T, who was brilliant, yet very disheveled. His hair was greasy, he was portly, he walked with a false leg, but he was always happy. He also ate food like no one I have ever seen. And it wasn't just food. It was FOOD. He ate hotdogs "I'll take two", chips "I have a great dip recipe", tortas "tor-TAS!", and any treats "Don't mind if I do". --And his usual sayings with each particular food. He would often recline in his chair -don't get me wrong, he was a very hard worker- and rest his hands, clasped together, on his belly, as you might imagine Santa doing, if he had a reclining office chair.

One day, my friend JMc, asked T how he could eat so much harmful food. T replied very comfortably, hands clasped together, resting on his belly, "Well, one day I had the choice of either health or food. *big sigh* And I chose food."

Ever since I have had my Peach, I have struggled with trying to snap back to "me". My mom assures me it's harder with each subsequent baby, and after four... well, that must be my limit. (Yes, I've had four babies, that's another blog.) My hair has been very frustrating. When does a "new mother" get a chance to go get her hair done, if she nurses, and has other children? And then when the baby is old enough to eat cereal, the baby is magically afraid of being without their mom... It's a challenge! So my once, sassy, cute hair, has become a disaster.

Brushing it out before a shower the other day, I was feeling lazy, and frankly, didn't want to bother. Knowing it had tangles from sleep the night before, I wanted to just leave it alone, and whatever it looked like after the shower, I could just toss up into a messy bun, and leave it be. No one would know... Maybe dreadlocks aren't so bad.

And as the thought made its way into and out of my mind, I realized I was making a choice, like T. I had to choose between making an effort on my appearance, or not. I chose to. I made a hair appointment that day, and found a sitter.

Today my amazing mom came by to watch my three children, braving a potentially crying baby. And I had my hair done. It's SO pretty! I am back among the land of the living! I feel like me again.

I discovered dreadlocks aren't for me. They are for someone else in this world, and I confess the free spirit in me thinks they're kind of cool, but I have chosen to keep myself clean and neat, because that is when I feel most beautiful.