Shayla got to see a glimpse of actual people--even complete strangers--pulling together and lending support to her as she goes through this battle with cancer. Tonight Kip Fife made good on his promise to shave his (already sparsely haired) head when she lost her hair. What was supposed to be a 'private party' with our two families ended up being a whole gathering of young men there to have their heads shaved, too! (Brother Fife did call and ask Shayla if it was all right with her that there were teenage young men present--she didn't care). I think it was really a good experience for Shayla to see so many 'macho' men--young and not so...-- comfortable in their own skin (heads), laughing, teasing and having a good time. At least one of the young men present told us his mom was unaware of his activity for the evening. What a brave sould he is! It is good that hair generally grows back for the younger set! At one point Shayla even took off her bandana she was wearing, exposing her head of wispy strands still holding on!
The greatest sacrifices...
Aside from Shayla and what she has to give up or limit for a time...would probably be FIRST: Amy Fife as she cut off the blonde curls of her 3 1/2 year old son after much prodding and coaxing from Kip. She almost cried, as did their oldest daughter. That little baby of the family grew up 2 years with tonight's haircut! That is dedicated support on Amy's part (thank you Amy, it will grow back, probably even curlier!).
SECOND: would have to be given to Jarin, Shayla's oldest brother. He did NOT want his hair cut, let alone shaved to the scalp! It was only with much coersion, arm locks, and brute force, that he ultimately acquiesced to the shearing.
Even Jase got his hair cut--very short, but not shaved. Brendon was the first of Shayla's immediate family to volunteer to the shaved style. Even though he did not want to shave his head for valid reasons, he ultimately made the decision to do so, without coercion. He made the decision before we got to the Fife's home, too.
I will be posting pictures and creating a Windows movie to see all the people who participated in tonight's grand cut and shave, so be watching toward the end of the week....
There are others who have done the same with their hair in support of Shayla. First was Grandpa Ernie--he was already bald, but had a full beard. Now he is as smooth as a bowling ball! Nick J. at church donned the shorn look a couple of weeks ago. I got to see it for the first time at church yesterday. Mr. Rosenthal (Shayla's band teacher) has reportedly trimmed his already short style to the shaved look to support Shayla and another student also going through chemo treatments. A huge sacrifce for some, an even larger expression of the love these friends have for our 'Shay'. Thanks everyone!
The greatest sacrifices...
Aside from Shayla and what she has to give up or limit for a time...would probably be FIRST: Amy Fife as she cut off the blonde curls of her 3 1/2 year old son after much prodding and coaxing from Kip. She almost cried, as did their oldest daughter. That little baby of the family grew up 2 years with tonight's haircut! That is dedicated support on Amy's part (thank you Amy, it will grow back, probably even curlier!).
SECOND: would have to be given to Jarin, Shayla's oldest brother. He did NOT want his hair cut, let alone shaved to the scalp! It was only with much coersion, arm locks, and brute force, that he ultimately acquiesced to the shearing.
Even Jase got his hair cut--very short, but not shaved. Brendon was the first of Shayla's immediate family to volunteer to the shaved style. Even though he did not want to shave his head for valid reasons, he ultimately made the decision to do so, without coercion. He made the decision before we got to the Fife's home, too.
I will be posting pictures and creating a Windows movie to see all the people who participated in tonight's grand cut and shave, so be watching toward the end of the week....
There are others who have done the same with their hair in support of Shayla. First was Grandpa Ernie--he was already bald, but had a full beard. Now he is as smooth as a bowling ball! Nick J. at church donned the shorn look a couple of weeks ago. I got to see it for the first time at church yesterday. Mr. Rosenthal (Shayla's band teacher) has reportedly trimmed his already short style to the shaved look to support Shayla and another student also going through chemo treatments. A huge sacrifce for some, an even larger expression of the love these friends have for our 'Shay'. Thanks everyone!
No comments:
Post a Comment