This is the first blog I’m writing about a Project of Possibility that has caught my awareness and touched my heart. The gorgeous goddess at the source of this amazing project is truly a beautiful soul. We met years ago in our journeys of life as our children were attending the same school. Our hearts were mutually touched by a few of the same projects that were going on at the school, one in particular, Rachel’s Challenge, had significant impact on each of us. Of course, as life goes, we were unsuspecting of the weave our future journeys would hold.
As my family was on its challenging course with Zachary and his cancer diagnosis, Vanessa was one of the awesome beings standing in the wings, supporting and loving us. After Zachary passed, she and I took some time to connect and have coffee. We reflected on our past journeys, what we are passionate about and the projects we were each working on. It was at this meeting Vanessa shared with me how she goes into hospitals and voluntarily takes care of those on chemo who are losing or about to lose their hair. Mostly these are families whose challenge is significant and prognosis not promising. And to pull at the heart strings a bit more, many if not most are children. Vanessa and I knew that at some point our missions would connect.
Some months passed and I watched as Vanessa acquired her own salon. She invited me to come and have my hair done. I knew this be a would welcome relief to my family and many friends who had watched as I had put much of my own self-care on hold as I took care of Zachary and subsequently the swath of grief and chaos that tore through our lives. At that first appointment Vanessa unhurriedly and so loving and compassionately colored, highlighted and cut my hair. It’s something that is challenging to explain but Vanessa has a true gift that touches your heart and soul as she does hair, I felt as if my entire being was nurtured through her work.
We had time to talk as she did my hair and she shared that her goal was take one day a week to open her salon for those families who she currently cared for in the hospital. We chatted about what she wanted to create, and what she wanted to name it and the possibilities of how we could connect aspects of our individual projects together. As I was ready to leave, Vanessa refused to accept any payment for the care she provide me. My heart was once again touched by this beautiful woman. Vanessa has done my hair on two more occasions and at this last visit she took the time to put blue color in my hair in honor of Zachary’s blue butterflies. She spent an entire morning, 4 hours, taking care of me, my hair and my heart. Now that I exist on the other side, the side that no one wants to exist in, the side that you can’t cross back over from, the side that a parent finds themselves on when a child passes, I can tell you that the heart centered work Vanessa does has much greater impact than one could ever imagine.
You can help me welcome Vanessa and her family and their new business Bangz Salon, in Winter Park, Fl to our Projects of Possibility Page. Any support you can offer them by patronizing or sharing her mission is greatly appreciated. Vanessa is very humble and as often happens when being in service to others, wants no attention for herself in the project, however in order to be in a position of service there is a level of awareness that needs to be had in the community. So Vanessa we honor and recognize you for your selfless giving and compassion to the hearts of others. Thank you from our hearts to yours.
In addition Bangz has graciously donated a $50. Gift certificate in support of our 2nd Annual Cornhole Tournament. Place of Possibility looks forward to making a difference with Vanessa.