Of Wigs and Cancer.

I’ve never been a huge wig wearer. I’ve had a total of two. One was one my mom never wore that I loved. and the other was a birthday present.

Me and Meagan in Florida… Blurry, but you get the idea.

Birthday present wig.

I know there are some naturals out there who are entirely anti-wig. And that is fine for them. I am not anti-wig, nor will I ever be, because of the story I am about to tell you.

A few years ago, I worked at a doctors office. The job wasn’t the greatest, but it paid me, and allowed me to do a little IT work. The best part of the job was my co-workers.

There was an older lady that worked there by the name of Mary Lou. I love Mary Lou. She is everything I hope I can be when I get older. One day I came in, and noticed Mary Lou’s hair. It was shorter, and hand blond highlights in it. I told her it was a cute style. She smiled a little, told me thanks, and went on her way.

Apparently a lot of people complimented her on her style. It upset her, and a couple of people found her crying.

That is when I found out that Mary Lou had cancer. She was getting chemo treatments, and was losing her hair, so she decided to wear a wig. I am not entirely certain, but I am guessing she was just feeling a little down about her hair.

“Cheer up Mary Lou!” I said confidently “Plenty of people wear wigs all the time. Yours looks great. Heck, even I wear a wig every once in a while.” She seemed surprised at this notion, and pretty soon it got dropped.

The next morning as I was getting ready for work, I pulled my birthday wig off of its stand, and styled it before plopping it on my head. I walked in to work, proudly, head held high, and marched straight into the office Mary Lou shared with two other women.

The other two ladies (who are also my friends) clapped and hooted. But Mary Lou.. she got teary eyed. She gave me a big hug and whispered “Thank you.”

I will never forget that as long as I live.

Mary Lou passed away a year and a half ago. I had a rough time last week. I was just thinking about her and missing her ribald sense of humor very much.  In one of the books of the Anne of Green Gables series, Ruby GIllis dies. After the funeral Davy says “Ruby was a great girl to laugh. Do you think she is laughing in heaven?” Anne assures him that she is. I hope Mary Lou is up in heaven giggling at my every day antics.

No matter the reason, wearing a wig is alright by me. Just make sure you hold your head up and smile, and be proud of who you are and what you do.