Transformation

“The old you wouldn’t even recognize you right now.” My husband said that to me this morning, and he wasn’t talking about my hair.

I had just shared my story and this blog with another person, and he was rightly pointing out that after so many years of fear and hiding, this intentional sharing and openness is a seismic shift in my approach to alopecia, personal information, and what I allow people to know about me.

I am no longer waiting to be found out or going out of my way to duck and cover from difficult conversations. I’m not trying to force this topic into conversations, but as the opportunities organically arise to share myself and my experience, I am willing to wade into it, one step at a time (and often silently praying for words and for peace).

I have long hoped for a time when alopecia would lose some of its power over me. I wished it would be a quick change, but the truth is, it’s taken years. I was reading some of my older blog posts and came across this one from January 2021:

"It’s so tempting to wish away the actual process of changing, especially when you have your eye on freedom. Unfortunately, with so many things I know that the only real option is to do the work, starting from seed. Plant it, nurture it, and trust that growth is coming – even if you aren’t sure what the end result will be."

While the changing process is still underway, I’m so encouraged that my fear caused by alopecia is turning into more of a sense of purpose.  In a recent email to some friends I said, “it is my hope and prayer that God will use one of the hard things in my life to make someone else's journey a little lighter or a little less lonely. I'm praying for them already.”

That includes you. Alopecia may or may not be your thing, but I know we all have mountains to climb and challenges to face. Sometimes it takes years to even acknowledge them, much less to accept, engage, and move forward with them. Whatever you are facing, I pray that you will have the strength and encouragement you need for today, tomorrow, and the days to come – however many it takes. You will get there – I believe it! As always, I am cheering for you.  

Warmly,

Lindsay

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