It was the perfect day to be heading off to the beauty shop. The sun was shining, and the breeze carried anticipated enjoyment on every breath. I had Charlotte loaded in her car seat, and Eva strapped in as well. I climbed into the “Big Rig,” as Eva likes to call it, and off we went; classic country music sailing out the windows.
Once we arrived, Eva and I each took our turn getting pampered like royalty. A deep wash, cut, and style was the treatment for the day. When it was Eva’s turn to get her hair washed, she started to giggle as our hairdresser’s fingers tickled her scalp. She was having so much fun on her special girl’s day out. Charlotte was enjoying a front-row seat from her carrier.
Our hairdresser commented, “It is so sweet of you to bring your girls to the beauty shop.”
My mind took flight back to the years my mother would check each of us girls out of school to have a special day at the beauty shop with her. Our beauty shop trips were back during the big hair, big perm years. Oh, don’t pretend you are unaware. You had the BIG hair, too; probably the bangs to match! Remember the look? We had to spray our hair with an attachment to keep the mound of curls in position. Our hair back then could have withstood a category five hurricane; the house might have been gone, but our hair remained flawless!
At the beauty shop, Mom would always get us a bag of chips and a coke while we spent time under the dryer. She would sit and visit about whatever we wanted to talk about. What precious conversations they were.
Unlike her mother, Eva doesn’t need time under a dryer to give her beautiful curls; she comes by that naturally. On the other hand, she loves to get her hair straightened or French-braided, so we sit and chit-chat while we await the finished look.
Not too long ago, I was talking with my mom about a hair appointment the girls and I had the following day. Mom said she remembered those days with such fondness. She asked me if I incorporated a special treat as well? I hinted at a bakery located on the corner of the square that made delicious delicacies for just such an occasion. Mom replied, “Soak it up, Sis, it goes way too fast.”
Strolling to the bakery with our hair fixed to perfection and Charlotte napping like a champion, Eva and I sat outside with our cupcakes in hand. I looked up to see her face covered in strawberry frosting while she sipped her coke through a straw. The conversation ranging anywhere from fruit roll-ups to puppies, made me smile as I thought to myself, “Someday, I will tell her that she only needed a trim once a year, but that seemed like such a long time to wait; for a moment like this.”
That night when I put Eva to bed, she grabbed my neck and said, “Mommy, thank you for taking us to the beauty shop.” I kissed her cheek and told her the pleasure was all mine.
In truth, it would be easier not to take the girls with me. What freedom to jump in the car and go; no one to buckle in; no need to grab crayons and stuffed animals off the floorboard. There wouldn’t be a million questions that needed immediate answers, and I would actually be able to finish one complete thought. But then again, how quiet and lonely the car ride would be. How empty would the beauty shop seem? No, this is my season to put my children in my world and teach them how to be ladies.
The outing, in and of itself, is not influential. It is in how our children perceive the outing and the conversation produced from our time together; this is crucial. Going to the beauty shop could get lost in the day’s activities like anything else. But when the event is the highlight, our memory bank has a way of imprinting that occasion with warmth.
I know one day the conversation is going to be deeper with my girls. It is in the early years that we lay the groundwork for later.
My mother executed this principle so well. She put the time in, early on, to teach us how to fix our hair and apply makeup. She taught us to stand up straight and not to slouch. She led Biblical instruction and paved a path for us to follow with our own families. Of course, there were days she would find time for herself. Even retreat away on occasion. But these times were few and far between.
Today my mother is one of my very best friends. We enjoy outings together and daily conversation. She gives me grace to be my own person, along with sound advice when I need it.
The beauty shop didn’t teach me how to be a lady. My mother did.
If you haven’t talked to your mother in a while, give her a call. She likes that.
Welcome Home
“I am reminded of your authentic faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice. I’m sure that this faith is also in you.” 2 Timothy 1:5
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