Antenna with Aluminum Foil... Reception VOID!

After 14 years of locing my hair I decided to get the scissors and be done with it.  I've always viewed my locs as a form of antennae and have come to the conclusion that the reception is no longer clear.

These locs have been with me through the ups and downs; highs and lows.  I believe they carry the weight of my strength and pain. Yet sometimes it is quite alright to let go - and that is just what I've done.

When I first began to loc, I was natural for about 3 months prior to doing so.  My greatest regret is that I felt I loc'd too soon.  That I should have enjoyed my natural hair with different styles prior to taking that leap into locs.  However I wanted locs and had talked about having them at least 10 years prior to taking the leap, so the locs beat out me experiencing dealing with my natural hair.  Well now I'm dealing with it, lol.

I wash it every other day and moisturize, moisturize and moisturize.  I still want to cut more of it off, because approximately an inch of it is damaged from the weight of the locs and coloring.  I'm almost a full month out of the locs and I really enjoy my hair.  I sleep much better the weight and length of the locs do not have to be considered when sleeping.  And I can't wait to start swimming on a regular again - with locs, it can be a task, at least it was for me.

Will I loc again?  Of COURSE! I loved them.  My soul will let me know when it is time to do so.  Right now the my hair wants no constraints - it just wants to be free.

If you are one that feels that Black Fathers are non-existent I feel for you, because mine was there. He wasn't perfect by any means, but he understood the importance of a Father to a Child & did what he could to be there. Knowing him like I do when he couldn't do all that he wanted to for us it hurt him deep, his tough exterior said otherwise, but he was a big softy on the inside & in no way COWARDLY.

He always told me when it was my time to choose my mate (as it is the WOMANS choice) always choose someone like him or better than him (he prefered better).  I've made my mistakes, but what has always brought me back was that advice. So sometimes I'm tough on the brothers because I've actually seen what a man is supposed to be & refuse less than. But he also told me when you have that mentality the weak ones run... He ain't never lied!(or at least not about THAT, lol)

When child-support would dwindle his check to $11 take home - did he give up? No, he hustled LEGALLY, second job, painting houses, cutting grass & STILL provided a home for all of his children to come to & know one another - THATS A FATHER. He never cried "poor me" he knew what he created & made the best of it. THAT'S A FATHER.

Keep in mind, he had 5 daughters, 1 baby momma, 2 ex-wives and a current wife with two step-sons, not to mention playing a huge father role in children's lives that he did not create - so if anybody ever wanted to run, it should have been him - BUT HE DID NOT.   Rest in Peace, Power and Prosperity Daddy - you more than anyone deserve that. Love you to the bone!

- originally written - Father's Day 2011