The Big Shave

The time had come for the big shave. My family, in town for Christmas, was surprised at how little hair remained. I had been contemplating shaving the remaining hair on my head, and with my mom’s comforting touch now was the time.

First scissors, then the razor, slowly watching my hair, the few stronghold pieces fall to the ground. My mom’s patience and love kept me strong. That moment in my journey with Alopecia areata universalis left me so liberated from the burden of loss. I no longer had to watch the hair disappear from my head. I was free to embrace the baldness.