It had been getting heavier and heavier. Barely noticeable a month ago, it grew quickly. I felt it pushing on my head and shoulders, digging into my back. Oh… it wasn’t noticeable to others until recently. But now it was evident with my every movement. It rounded my shoulders and made me feel shorter. Maybe I was getting shorter, compressed by that weight.

I noticed other changes, too. I was more irritable. The weight irritated me, I irritated others. And, I was holding myself more stiffly, as if relaxing would result in collapse and loss of control.

I could have done something about it a month ago, though at first, I didn’t realize I should. As it became more unbearable, I could have found release. I didn’t, not because I was lazy, quite the contrary. There were so many commitments that I couldn’t fit a solution into my schedule. So I endured.

It became first bearable, then annoying, then desperately heavy. Finally, it reached the point where it might crush me.

Then came a chance. My schedule suddenly cleared for a few hours. I made a call. I could do it – find release or at least some relief. It had become so heavy.

I made my way so I would be early. And then I had to wait. Did I really need to be so early? It just left me shrinking under the weight.

Finally, my time had come. I grabbed my mask and put it on, not to hide my face, but to share in protecting each other. I went to stand in line, steeling myself to bear the weight just a little longer.

Soon I was invited in and escorted to a comfortable chair. There was light conversation about the events of the day. Moment by moment, inch by inch, the weight began to lift. I began to feel taller and less irritation. My head began to lift and my shoulders relaxed. It seemed like 200 pounds had been lifted.

In reality it was maybe two or a little more inches off my head left me looking more professional and feeling more like myself. Haircuts can be wonderful events and should be celebrated!