Blue Streak

It's time to address the elephant in the room. I did it at my daddy's funeral; I need to do it now. I have a blue streak. I 'm not talking about my language-I'm talking about my hair.

I always wanted a blue streak. I don't know if it's because someone had one in a super hero cartoon I watched when I was little, or because I can talk a blue streak. I just wanted one my whole life. Last Fall, I started experimenting with color in my hair to see how it would be received by the people in my life. I have to say I have been impressed with the acceptance of the changes people see in my hair. Most people have been amazing about it. I started first with a pastel pink streak-then a red streak-then burgundy-then purple. But all along I gave a heads-up that what I really wanted was a blue streak, and someday when I got the guts, it would be there.

Well, the guts arrived. During one of the last hospital visits towards the end of my dad's life, he told me he needed to see the blue streak before he died. He made me promise I would do it. The next day, the blue streak was in. It was scary. That dye is dark, and it gets everywhere in seconds. Rinsing it out makes it look like there was an alien murder in the bathroom. But I did it. I have never regretted it. I love it. It completes me. It's me. My favorite color is blue. Dad loved it..."it's so you,  Heather. I love it. It makes me happy." It made me feel good to make him happy. It made me happy to do that for him. I'm so grateful I took the jump. I'm so grateful he got to see it. The blue streak has changed my life.

The first thing the blue streak did was give me confidence. Taking that step showed me I am brave. It's hard for me to do things that will draw attention. But I'm so glad I did this. I feel brave. I am brave.

The blue streak brings me calm. I love blue. It's peaceful and calming and just speaks to my soul. The ocean, the sky...blue calls my name. So my blue hair grounds and centers me. It gives me peace.

The blue streak has shown me that there are people in this world who accept me no matter what. It shows me there is acceptance galore in this world. I am so very grateful for the love and support that has been shown to me and my blue streak! People that I would have never dreamed would like the blue come up to me and positively gush over it. Not that I am after gushing. It is just nice that people like it. My friends like it. My family loves it. My husband is crazy for it. My kindergarteners call me the "Reading Fairy" because I "come in and bring all kinds of wonderful books and games and even have blue hair!" So Reading Fairy is definitely a title I can live with.

The blue streak has made me feel pretty. I have a hard time with feeling pretty. I love the way the blue brings my eyes out. For the first time in my life, I actually liked my school picture!

And of course, my blue streak makes me think of my dad. He is always with me. He influences my thoughts and decisions, and makes me want to be a better person. I look in the mirror and remember all the goodness he brought to my life and the complete, absolute love and acceptance he gave to imperfect me. I look in the mirror, and I am grateful.

A little comfort at dad's graveside.
I LOVE YOU DADDY!