I've created a life where the luxeries have rarely happened, one of them being a good haircut and highlights. I'd hear the price and decide I couldn't afford it.
I've also tried to keep growing it, as my sons and the men in my life said they like it long. I do too - one day out of 5. So I saw a picture of my perfect style and immediately decided to have it done, regardless of what others thought. And I decided it at a time when no more known money is coming in.
That same day, as I came into Sears, there was a notice posted on the door that the salon was having a half price sale on haircuts if you paid for a color. Immediately, I walked down to the salon, only to discover that ALL the services were half price. I booked my appointment.
Last night was the day. No one else was in the salon and except my hairdresser. I hope this didn't mean the same as an empty restaurant! Then I discovered that it would be hard for her to concentrate as she was in deep grief over losing joint custody of her son. As she talked and did my hair, the tears were running down her cheeks. As I heard the all too familiar story of injustice, judicial kidnapping, parental alienation and lawyers who charged ridiculous rates, and yet still lost the case.....I felt the anger rise up for that horrible system and sadness for the little boy who begged his dad every night to see his Mommy. At three years of age, he was devising a plan that he told his Mom about, whereby he would be as disobedient as possible, so Dad would decide to give him back to his Mom. I was shocked. At one point, I looked up in the mirror in front of me to see my jaw hanging open.
Then I began to tell her what I knew and what she could do.....give up the fight for joint, and go for Parallel Parenting instead. I also gave her a list of resources. All of a sudden I realized how amazing this creation was. She was alone, or this would not have happened, and she happened to be cutting the hair of the woman who, with no legal knowledge and no lawyer, had helped her partner win against all odds!
And then I remembered that I had scripted this sad tale to feel my "righteous indignation" for a system that doesn't even exist. At once, I felt grateful instead of angry and sad. This story was for ME to reclaim some more power from the system that was made so real during my last 3 years of court drama over the son of my ex partner.
I then knew that all was well and the story would have a happy ending because it was MY script, therefore, my story. The actress playing my hairdresser was so grateful in return, she said she would not charge me for the cut! She began to brighten up.
Then I remember feeling anxiety that she would make a mess of my hair when it came time for the cut because she was so preoccupied. How ironic. I finally book an appointment and I get a stylist who was a mess (her own words). I remembered again that this was my movie and I relaxed and enjoyed my creation.
I walked out with the most perfect haircut and color! And I got to play Heroine to a lady and her little boy.
It doesn't get more interesting than that!
