A friend once told me that everyone has a “burden,”  something that is very close to their heart that they cannot overlook.  Something that GOD has charged them with to help better the world.  She told me this because I had mentioned to her that my hair was almost long enough to donate to Locks of Love.  It had never crossed my mind that this was a burden – maybe because the word “burden” has the connotation of being something you don’t want to have – you want to avoid having any sort of burden in every aspect of your life.  To me, donating hair is pretty natural.  I’ve never been the best steward of hair (as it usually just goes in a bun/ponytail and only done on special occasions or when I’m bored) and have the worst time combing it out.  So, to give my hair to someone who actually wants it is … pretty awesome.

The first time I donated hair was in 2007, shortly after a friend of mine from high school was diagnosed with cancer.  She had the best heart and a joyful spirit; was extremely bright and generous.  Even going through Chemotherapy and knowing the outlook was bleak, she turned her last few years on Earth into a story completely dedicated to the work of the Lord.  Even now, after her time on Earth has passed, her story remains and she is still encouraging people through it, which you can read at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/estherboyalapalli.

The loss of Esther was the first time in my life I actually knew someone who had been taken by cancer (although she would probably tell you that it wasn’t cancer, but GOD who had just called her home).  It hit very close to home and I cannot help but wonder why it was Esther – someone so sweet with so much to offer.  Also, I cannot help but want to give back something to the community who is going through so much.  In 2007, I was just a broke college kid with not much to offer … but I had hair.  Hair that would bring some small sense of normality back to someone else’s life.  Ever since, I’ve continued to get it cut about every two and a half years.  I know it’s not much, but it’s what I have.

This morning, I cut off twelve inches of hair to donate to Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths Program.  If you’re interested in donating, you can check out the hair donation criteria for Locks of Love or the hair donation criteria for Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths Program.

Much love,

Mylah Renae

www.Eureka-Photography.com