Learning to approach life with patience and humility
We meet with about six clients a day, six days a week. Women come in feeling anxious and uneasy. After all, I am a stranger. I never outwardly ask about their illness. I talk to them warmly and gently. I might put my hand on their shoulder to give them a sense of connection, and soon enough, they open up. I just pull up a chair and listen. I empathize, but I never tell them I know what they are going through, because I don't. Sometimes I share my stories about my mom and my sister-in-law, who have both gone on to a full recovery, and that gives them hope. Then we have a good cry together.
Some clients bring laughter into our lives. Joanne was like that. She had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and we fitted her for a wig with dark, curly hair just like her own. But she came back to us for a change. She said, “If I have to do this for a long time, I'm going to have some fun with it.” So she got herself a red-haired, straight wig, and she loved it. She would often pop in to the shop just to talk, wearing that red wig. She was a bundle of energy, and her upbeat attitude always put a smile on the faces of the other clients in the shop. Sadly, Joanne passed away a few months ago. Finding life's beauty amidst hardship
People often ask me how I can do this kind of work, how I can deal with sadness and disease on a regular basis. But I don't see it that way. I just see women who need my help. I see Louisa. And I see the opportunity to do the things I never did for Louisa because at that time, I didn't know what to do. I'm not here just passing through this planet. I'm here to help people. So I put myself in my clients' shoes and think about the kind of treatment I'd want, and that's what I try to provide for them.
The pain and heartache these women go through, the thought of them leaving their loved ones, especially their innocent children –- it humbles me. My job has brought out all the good in me. I now concentrate on being a good mom, a good friend, putting love in people's hearts and approaching life with empathy and patience. I want to leave beautiful memories for my children. I want to be remembered not only as a mom who gave herself to her family but also to the women who needed her. I hope they learn, as I have, that life is about the people around you.
Life is fragile. At any time, our whole existence can change. The world can be cruel, but at the same time, there is goodness. Some wonderful people have been taken –- that's the ugliness. But out of that comes a humanity and beauty for those who care and make that transition easier. This business has taught me to see more of that beauty. There really are guardian angels waiting to give us love and assistance throughout this journey -– just like Louisa.
Feeling inspired? Read about donating hair to make wigs for kids with cancer.
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People often ask me how I can do this kind of work, how I can deal with sadness and disease on a regular basis. But I don't see it that way. I just see women who need my help. I see Louisa. And I see the opportunity to do the things I never did for Louisa because at that time, I didn't know what to do. I'm not here just passing through this planet. I'm here to help people. So I put myself in my clients' shoes and think about the kind of treatment I'd want, and that's what I try to provide for them.
The pain and heartache these women go through, the thought of them leaving their loved ones, especially their innocent children –- it humbles me. My job has brought out all the good in me. I now concentrate on being a good mom, a good friend, putting love in people's hearts and approaching life with empathy and patience. I want to leave beautiful memories for my children. I want to be remembered not only as a mom who gave herself to her family but also to the women who needed her. I hope they learn, as I have, that life is about the people around you.
Life is fragile. At any time, our whole existence can change. The world can be cruel, but at the same time, there is goodness. Some wonderful people have been taken –- that's the ugliness. But out of that comes a humanity and beauty for those who care and make that transition easier. This business has taught me to see more of that beauty. There really are guardian angels waiting to give us love and assistance throughout this journey -– just like Louisa.
Feeling inspired? Read about donating hair to make wigs for kids with cancer.
Page 3 of 3
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