Rachel’s recovery from two strokes continues to improve, and I will write more specifics in a separate post. But today, I want to share a moment where she showed “llama bravery,” maturity, and joy.
Jim and I have talked about bringing Rachel in for a professional hair color session for about a year now. Last week, Rachel and I were brainstorming reward ideas given that she’s working hard at school and at therapies this summer. Somehow, hair color bubbled up, and with the serious Iwantit look in her eyes, I knew it was time.
I started calling around on a Saturday, hoping to get in that day. Silly me! Of course everyone is booked. In a brief moment of reflection, I remembered that I got my locks cut and colored at a place called Hair District. I found a phone number and started a conversation with the receptionist. She listened to me tell the story I’ve told a thousand times: daughter Rachel…born perfectly healthy…walking..talking…e Coli…produced two strokes…seven years later, and she’s still improving. You know, that story!
The receptionist’s tone of voice was warm, compassionate, and welcoming. She connected me to Amber, a young woman who was ready to take on a special needs person as a customer. Before we sealed the deal on the appointment, I was even able to speak directly to Amber, outlining our wishes for “purple reign” on the Princess of the BOH.
Today was the appointment. A big day. In fact, a certain fast-healing-from-double-knee-surgery Grandma Kathy breezed in to watch all the fun. Handy Helper Elf Evelyn brought her tablet and was ready to entertain during any down time, which there was.
We all wheel in. I check into the desk, and within moments, our Amber approaches us with a big smile and a full heart. She just moved from Bemidji – your gentle writer’s alma mater! – and she is slightly overwhelmed by the largeness of the city. I tell her she’s brave to start anew, as many people who live in that particular town are lifers.
The session begins with a rinse and lightening of Rachel’s hair. She winces a little – only a little – on the temp of the water, but nothing we can’t talk her out of. Evelyn repeats “You’re okay!” with any whimper.
After this, I transfer her to her wheelchair, and Amber joyfully leads us to her station within salon. Get this: Miss Amber has moved her regular chair from her station, leaving it empty to allow for Rachel’s wheelchair to take that spot. #genius
We are a canny and courageous crew from the Bus of Hope: Ev, excitedly looking on, Grandma Kathy, taking a chair next to Rachel, and me, snapping pictures and fetching coffee and water. The women around us, both customers and stylists alike, all bask in the glow of this special moment with their own smiles. They sense how special this is. That kind of power rejuvenates.
Rachel, all the while, is totally enthralled. Lots of OMYGOSHing. She is calm but joyful. She is chatting up Amber, asking for her to curl her hair at the end. Once the purple color is set in, Miss Rachel’s shrieks of joy turn heads and widen the smiles of all. The kid in me wonders if their faces will freeze that way!
Amber did a beautiful job. As the session wrapped up, I complimented her on her comfort with Rachel and her entourage. She told me that she served many special needs customers back in Bemidji. Clearly, that education – a baptism of the follicle kind – is our benefit here on the Bus of Hope.
No matter who you are and what shape you’re in, if you want someone to bring your hair up to the next colorific level, please visit Amber at Hair District in Chanhassen. She is warm, kind, and a very hard worker. Furthermore, the staff around her made us feel welcome, beaming at Rachel and her joyful expression.
Now, I’m gonna level with you about one more thing: to color her hair, it cost $124, and I tossed in a $20 tip. Is that expensive? Yeah, I suppose…But I would rather spend money on her hair instead of, oh, say a hospital stay? Honestly, we did that already, didn’t we? Jim is famous for saying that Rachel’s medical bill is now an actual “million dollar baby” level. $144 is a drop in the bucket, but seeing her squeal with delight is worth every nickel.
Ain’t she pretty?