The Time I ...

On the Disney Channel they have a "short" program called "The Time I" (or TTI for short) it's 3 minutes long, and features kids explaining "the time" they .. "fill in the blank" .. there's one about a little girl who moved from NJ to CA 3000 miles from her best friend.   There's another about a little girl who "realized her brother was different" (He has Autism).   There's yet another one about a little girl and the time she was "a lousy friend".  

There are quite a few of these "episodes" that air multiple times a day, on their many "disney" channels.

This?  This is about "The Time I ... Donated My Hair to Pantene Great Lengths"  Okay, not me.  *I* didn't have enough hair to cut off, but .. My 5 year old?  She did.

A few weeks ago, while preparing for Em's big dance recital - we were discussing how we were going to get Emily's hair cut after.  I gave her a few choices:

1) cut a few inches like we usually do, keep the length and shape.  But just a trim like usual.

2) cut it short like Momma's like she's been "begging for" 

3) cut off enough to donate to a program, that makes wigs for people who are sick, and can't grow their own.  Including little girls like her.

Then I gave her a few days to think about it.  And told her if she had any questions to ask.  

The very next day - she told my parents the following:

Emily:    Guess what Erma, Guess what Grampy!!!   I'm cutting my hair for!  And I'm going to give it to a little girl who can't grow her own!!!

E&G:  Really?!  Wow!!  That's AWESOME!!

E: Yep.  soon as my big dance day is over!

This was, of course, before I was offered, and accepted, a new job.  It was before I knew what my schedule would be.  I made the appointment for the following Wednesday, and told her to be ready.

Then I got a new job (more on that later).  So I had to reschedule the appointment, and hope the enthusiasm she was showing, didn't go away.

A few weeks later - June 30th, at 1:30pm - we arrived at Statix Salon & Spa for Emily's big day.

She hadn't been feeling well, and was sporting a low grade fever. (more on that later as well.)  However, she went through with it.  Even after daddy shed a few tears (more on that later as well.), and Ms. Andrea was finished with her client before Em, she went through with it.

8 1/2 Inches Later.  She went through with it!

She told every single person she met - before, during and after - what she was doing, and why.  

Here are a few photos of her day:

Before!

Half Way!

 Evening the Ends

The Final Product!!!

I cannot express how incredibly proud we are of her.  She made a very adult decision, with absolutely no pushing from anyone.  She asked a few questions, Why can't they grow hair, why do they need help with other peoples hair ... etc.  But in the end, less than 24 hours later, and then over the course of 3 weeks or so, she made the choice, she stuck with it, and she followed through.

She no longer looks like a "little girl" .. now?  She looks like a little lady.

Can you even stand it?!