Two Braids

My friend’s mother died quickly and unexpectedly at the age of 64 of cancer while my friend was about to give birth. Feeling helpless she cut off her hair, which was thicker and longer than usual due to being pregnant and donated it to Locks For Love, to be made into a wig. The wig obviously would not be for her mother but that didn’t matter.

It was a poignant gesture that moved me deeply, having lost several friends to cancer, and so I requested to photograph the hair before she donated it. Being that I’m the “artist” in our circle; she agreed. I later gave her a copy but she says it’s too painful for her to look at, so it remains in its box.