Thursday, January 8, 2009

My Sweet Sebba


This mothering business can be such a hard job. We all do the best we can, but sometimes it seems we can never see the end of things or how it'll all turn out. At times, it all seems like a big crap shoot. Sebba was my first baby. She was always a little head strong and opinionated (I wonder where she got that from?) and despite me, she seems to have turned out OK. She was the one I cut my teeth on as a mother so I'm glad she doesn't seem too scarred from the experience. I was sort of rudderless when raising her, and did it alone for several years to boot. The early teen years were by far, the worst for both of us, but we survived. She has blossomed into a lovely person that I like to think of as a daughter and friend. I hope she feels the same, and if she ends up in therapy, I doubt it'll be because of me and my parenting techniques.

She isn't too fussy. She does enjoy some of the finer things in life, but she works multiple jobs at times to afford them for herself. She doesn't expect someone to do it for her. She isn't spoiled in the least though and can rough it with the best of them. She has walked the Breast Cancer 3 Day-all 60 miles-with never a whine or a whimper. We did cry together on that walk, but it was because of loss. That was the year we suffered multiple and devastating losses. Breast cancer was the cause of one of them.


Sebba has one thing she likes best about herself, and that one single thing now is gone. She lost it today in just a few snips. Soon, it will be part of something that can give another mother's child back her pride and joy. Hair. Her beautiful hair will soon bring something special into a child's life. Today she gave a foot of it to a local Wigs for Kids. Way to go honey. I'm proud of you. I know I'm totally biased, but if you ask me, your hair was and is not your most special asset; your heart is.


I'll knit you another hat to keep your head warm.  I need to knit that sweater just a little bit faster now too.  Thank you Sebba.  That was indeed a most precious gift.

20 comments:

willowtree said...

You have every right to be proud.

Jane said...

What a beautiful girl, in every sense of the word

flydragon said...

What a terrific daughter you have there. Sometimes I'm just amazed that my daughters turned out soooo great, in spite of me:)

laurie said...

i guess you didn't do such a bad job of raising her after all...

what a wonderful thing for her to do. and i love that you're going to knit her a new hat.

excellent, both of you. excellent.

debra said...

Good for Sebba! My #2 daughter donated her hair when she was 10. She's planning on doing it again but wants it to be a bit longer first.
If I knitted, I'd knit my daughter a hat---I'll give her hugs.

The Crusty Crone said...

She's beautiful!!

Betty F said...

What a wonderful post! Your daughter is so beautiful and you're right; it wasn't her hair; it's her heart. What a wonderful gift you have!

Jane said...

What a beautiful, big hearted daughter you have Rudee. Looks like she turned out great!

Rudee said...

Thank you everyone. She is an amazing person. She has been growing it for such a long time and had come to love it really long. She grew huge lengths out before this final cut because of highlights she'd done. It's been years since she could do that. I like her natural color much better on her.

Brenda said...

When I first saw the picture of Sarah at the top I thought "What beautiful hair!" and then went on to read the story. Very cool! You both should be proud of each other. She is a beauty inside and out!

Lisa L said...

Beautiful girl! Beautiful heart! (((Sebba)))You are a wonderful and inspiring mom Rudee..never forget that

Rose said...

Your daughter is beautiful, I know you must be very proud of her. Glad you're making her a lovely hat! Coincidently, my oldest also gave her hair to a cancer charity the summer before she went to college.

Unknown said...

OK, I'm tearing up. Gorgeous girl/beautiful heart. I'm thinking that apple didn't fall far from the tree. You both have a lot to be proud of.

the rotten correspondent said...

Your daughter is drop dead gorgeous. Wow.

Congrats to her for donating her hair. What a gift. My Sasquatch cut 13 inches off of his hair last year, and the plan was to donate it to Locks of Love. We had it cut off following all the guidelines.

It's somewhere in his room still - never to be found again.Not by me, anyway.

Oh, well. It was a lovely thought.

sandy said...

Gosh RUdee, she's beautiful!!! Inside and out it sounds like.

What a wonderful things she did..

I definitely (except for her coloring) see you in her.

Anonymous said...

THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR YOUR LOVELY COMMENTS!!!!!
I have to admit, I was a little overwhelmed at first by the drastic change. Truth be told, I went into the salon for a "TRIM", and wound up holding TWO 11 inch long braids in my hands. I didn't think my hair was healthy enough to donate, or that I had enough to make a difference. BOY WAS I WRONG!!!! I chopped my mop January 7th 2009. The braids will be donated to WIGS FOR KIDS located in St.Clair Shores, MI. There is not one doubt in my mind my hair won't be loved as much, if not more by someone who really NEEDS it.
On January 8th, 2009 I started to grow my hair out for my 2012 donation!!!
Thank you mom for always helping me see the bigger picture... your selflessness is my inspiration.
Sebba
xoxox

Rudee said...

Well I like your hair like this. I can't believe you're doing it again! You're a good girl sweetheart.

Winifred said...

She is really lovely and what a generous thing to do. You must have done a fantastic job Rudee.

Rositta said...

Your daughter is lovely and her hair will go for a good cause, that's good. I always wishes for a daughter but it was not to be. I'm going to cut my hair soon but I don't anyone wants white hair...ciao

Anonymous said...

What a good girl. If I could grow my hair long enough, I would. After my mom's death, her sister, my aunt, grew her hair and donated it.

It's a wonderful gift.