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Standing in my kitchen last Fall with the radio blasting life's lyrics from my favorite country station, the ache in these words filled the air. After hearing them, the topic of the song was clear.
Perched along side the radio, the tears flowed. So much circling my mind from those sixteen words ... thoughts of loved ones I personally know battling cancer, and memories of those passed on.
"Phone call came in from her doctor back homeFor me, there's also a personal aspect. Going through some medical challenges, the loss of my hair was a real possibility. Although I've been blessed with my dad's very thick hair, I started to lose it by the handfuls last February.
The cancer had spread and she threw down the phone
She looked in the mirror, tears running down her cheeks
Said if it all falls out, baby what would you think?" (Lyrics)
Despite this, I was one of the lucky ones. I'm managing things much better, and my hair is as thick as it's ever been again. However, the choices I had to make and am still making will forever be a part of my life. And that's ok now, for now.
There are so many levels to medical challenges. With broad smiles, or as many as we can muster, we try not to let it be an all consuming time in our life. However, the waiting hurts .. The waiting to find out; the waiting for treatment results; the waiting for procedures to be completed, and so it goes.
Strength we thought we never had, we somehow find.
And thoughts of those we love ....
What will they do if? ... how can I tell them .... circle our mind more often than we can block them.
Then yes, the thought of our hair. I cried. It isn't shallow. It's just a part of the process.
Whether the fight is cancer or a chronic disease, we know medication plays havoc on our systems, and on our hair.
But those we love and who love us, remind us:
"The heart that's inside is why I stopped and staredTo those suffering much greater battles than mine I want to hold you so tight, and make it go away.
I swear I didn't fall in love with your hair" (Lyrics)
How can we take the pain away for you? We know we can't, but we want to.
If granted one wish, mine would be magical powers to take it all away, for everyone.
A Collaboration with Philanthropist W. Brett Wilson for Cancer Awareness Month in September 2016.
Released September 9th, 2016, proceeds for the song between September 9th and October 28th 2016 were donated to the Canadian Cancer Society and matched by Brett Wilson.
You can find 'I Didn't Fall in Love With Your Hair' on Brett Kissel's sixth studio album, Pick Me Up.
Beautiful song. Thank you for sharing this. I thought I was familiar with it...but I had never heard it before. Makes me remember a good friend who was devastated by cancer and her hair loss. Dorla, you and your beautiful spirit are never forgotten.
ReplyDeleteDawn, am so sorry for the loss of your friend
DeleteAny of us who have had a loved one go through cancer or any chronic disease will understand the words and feelings behind this song. Thanks for sharing, Barbara.
ReplyDeletePat, absolutely, the song is personal to many. Thank you.
DeleteHair loss is impacting for several reasons, but mostly we don't want our personal illness becoming everyone's business. I am surrounded by people who believe medical issues are private. Losing your hair is a sure sign to anyone and everyone, even strangers, that you're sick. People mean well and are quite sincere with concern, but patients are striving for normalcy.
ReplyDeleteYes, the song carries a message that we all need to seriously consider. It is definitely not a shallow concern. Plus, we all need the reassurance of constant and unchanging love because everything physical is certainly changing.
That's a very good point about not wanting a physical display of our illness to everyone. I had not considered that perspective.
DeleteI've never heard this beautiful song. I remember how my mother reacted when the doctor told her that she had stomach cancer. She had surgery and treatment and her hair was a big concern to her, but she never lost it. After surgery they said she had maybe a year, but she didn't accept that. My mother beat cancer for 14 years after her surgery. Thanks for the song :)
ReplyDeleteshe beat it for 14 years, she fought with heart. My friend fought it for ten years, a friends brother for one, and a few I know for decades
DeleteI remember the first time I heard this song, it is haunting and beautiful. Thank you for bringing it to us again....
ReplyDeleteI love the sentiment in this song. It's who we are that's important -- not our physical attributes.
ReplyDelete