TITLE: OH NO NOT THE WHOVILLE HAIRS By Suellen Fry 01/13/07 |
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Remember the infamous childhood Christmas tale “How The Grinch Stole Christmas?”
I was nine years old when it first aired on TV in 1966. I loved it then, and I love it now. As I can recall there were certain Whoville's who sported only one hair on top of their heads. Be patient as I am leading up to my next point…hair cuts. Yes, I’m talking about haircuts.
Any parent knows that if they can cut corners somehow, then they will. Some parents cut corners by saving coupons. Others cut corners by shopping at thrift stores. I also participate in those money saving ventures as well. But I also use my talents that God has given me, one of which is cutting hair. I have cut and styled my own hair for years. When my little boy entered into the picture another challenge presented itself. So… I set out to learn how to use a pair of clippers as quickly and efficiently as I could. The first few lessons proved to be interesting ones. I quickly learned what a guard was, only after my beautiful child wore a couple of bald spots. At the age of two I decided not to let him in on these small mishaps. There were moments when no matter how careful I was an ear got clipped or another obvious bald spot showed up on the back of his head. After all how long can a little one sit still through such an awful ordeal. And according to Nick, receiving a haircut from me was an ordeal.
However, the Lord did bless me with this talent. Despite the occasional “creative cut” I even impressed myself.Eventually I learned how to fade. Not bad for someone who never attended beauty school.
Tonight was another adventure in cutting my eight year olds hair. As each year passes I cut a little quicker and Nick can sit still a little longer…except, tonight. As I finished his left sideburn he was already anxiously waiting to jump in the tub to wash his itchy skin. "Wait, I see some Whoville hairs I need to trim,"I added. Now, we all know what they are, those little hairs just sticking out by themselves. You know, the obvious stragglers.Raising his right eyebrow and twisting his mouth sideways,he came close to resembling the Grinch himself.My blue eyed, blond haired, freckled face grinch rolled his eyes and moaned; “Oh no, not the Whoville hairs!” He knew that this meant another possible 15 minutes of me snipping those lone stragglers. He was already over the haircut.Standing there clad only in his Power Ranger underpants he began to protest. Becoming even more animated he raised his arms to the air and shouted, “ I hate Whoville hairs! Spare me spare me, Whoville hairs"! Then we both looked at each other and began laughing. It all seemed so funny. Here I was trimming my son’s “Whoville hairs.”
I think for the first time he caught a glimpse of himself in full animation and actually found it humorous. Seizing the moment we must have laughed for at least 5 more minutes.
While I must admit there have been times when it would have been much easier carting him down the road for a fifteen dollar haircut, I wouldn’t have saved a dime and the experience wouldn’t have been as entertaining. I believe that God grants us many talents. It’s up to each and every one of us to explore them...and use them. Many of my talents have saved me money and time. Others have given me a sense of direction, while others have brought me to places beyond my wildest dreams. One thing is for sure, they are all gifts from God. Tonight was yet another experience. My son and I were able to stop long enough...and laugh. They say that laughter is good for the soul. I believe it is. All the God given talents in the world won’t do us any good if we can’t laugh at ourselves. I think that Theodore Seuss Geisel must have had a sense of humor. And tonight in the Fry-Washington home the Whoville’s came to life!
Every good and perfect gift is from above,
Coming down from the father of
The heavenly lights, who does not change
Like shifting shadows.
James1:17
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