A Summer Haircut for Clara

It's been months that Clara has been begging for a haircut just like Krissy's.  I hesitated because I wasn't sure if at 5 years old she understood that hair does not grow back over night or even in a week, I also wasn't sure she could pull off such a bold look and honestly, I wasn't sure if I was ready to let go of my control over her hair.  But she answered all those questions by cutting it herself, it was just her bangs but they were to the skin.

Then just last week she had the scissors again in hand and caught me at a bad moment just after I burned the rice.  She said, "Mommy, can you give me a summer cut as short as Henry's".  I thought I might as well cut it before she did.  So I asked her where she wanted it and without even thinking I cut it above her ears where her little finger pointed.  The problem was I was unable to make it look really even, it is one thing to give a crummy haircut to a little boy but a short haircut on a girl needs to be more stylish than sloppy.

Luckily there is a very skilled hair stylist in our ward and she was very accommodating in meeting us at 8:00 am Saturday morning.  She gave Clara her own little bottle of styling gel and we both saw her eyes sparkle and spirit leap with joy, as if this was how she's always worn her hair.

I have to admit I was a little jealous.  Not that I want to cut my hair short because I already know that does not work for me.  I suppose I was jealous that this little girl at 5 year's old already knows who she is, so much so that she has the confidence to wear a bold look.  Even with Maryanna telling her how much she dislikes the new look and strangers stopping her to ask why her hair is so short, with a big smile Clara doesn't care what other people think, she simply says "this is my summer haircut" then skips quickly away like a little pixie.  It is funny because since her cut I see her standing taller than ever and smiling with an intensity that I have never noticed before.  I love this beautiful girl and the great lessons she offers me.