Friday, February 2, 2007

The Natural Way...

Kat calls the process of letting your natural hair take it's course as letting a "soul that lives within..." come alive...I love her way of describing it.

Alice Walker puts into words the beautiful growth of natural hair sprouting as knowing, "precisely what hair wanted: it wanted to grow, to be itself, ...to be left alone by anyone, including me, who did not love it as it was, in Living By The Word: Selected Writings 1973-1987.

I've been saying it for years, I know, i do. But perhaps this time is the season. This weekend, my friend said something profound that has stuck with me, as I will carry it with me for this entire process. I remember the We were all standing in front of a mirror, I'll never forget how the words came forth. She was getting to know at her new hair, twisting the coils and shaping them into imperfect bunches; I was dancing to the music playing and, and attempting to style my hair in an updue, when I turned to Kat and mentioned to her,"I feel I need help with this process. Before I could elaborate, she interrupted me and whispered, "Sash, when your ready you won't need any help."

She didn't know this but I has not a word to say..I was speechless, "what an amazing way of putting it into a thought. Contimplating...I pulled out specks of my hair hair to inspect, closely.

The texture. The feel. The look. It isn't me.

I've always wanted watch my natural hair come alive but I feared the process. Nonetheless, I am ready, today. I have to extend a special thanks to some special young ladies who have influenced me thanks Kat, who like me had a burning desire for sometime now, trying a few times to do the natural thing and relapsing on a few occasions, back to the dresser to wear dudley....however, your standing up this summer and beginning the process has inspired me; Marly, with your beautiful locks, remaining stedfast through the process says so much about our heritage of strength and inner beauty; Jackie, rocking the most defined and amazing low fade any woman of stature desires to---yet you do is what makes you so "fire"; Jess, your hair is astonishing and moreover it just seems like the essence of what I know of you; Your that example of whatcomes about when, like Alice walker shared, letting it grow and loving it do. Stacey, in the three hours we spent, watching you treat your hair like the special part of you it is, gave me encouragement, seeing as though it certainly is and was captivating to witness. Hanging out, with all of you ladies has enhanced my desire to...

began what I can describe as finding me in letting go of all that isn't.

2 comments:

seedofeve said...

Ashe, Mrs. Black. Ashe. Somehow, some way you are able to see the profound beauty in the simple things I say and do. I am humbled and honored that my words, actions and friendship are able to touch you. A change sure will come, when you're ready. And when it does, you'll be in the bathroom mirror clipping off random strands just like me.

Marly said...

Babygirl, I didn't even know you had a blog! I'm honored to read your words love and giddily anticipate the journey you are about to embark on. I'll be here to lend support where I can and my bathroom has already been blessed by someone else's big chop so when you ready, i'll plan a party in your honor!