“Yes,” I said, trying to sound intelligent.  I’m not sure I succeeded in hiding my alarm though, when she fished out a hair piece I’d only have bought with a gun pressed to my back.

“Are you sure that’s what you put on her?”

“Ye-aah …,” as in, “Da-ah!”  You know how hairdressers can be.  They know what they are doing and please do not tell them you don’t like it.  Well, my older sister had said I’d look good and she knows best – doesn’t she?  I called her.  

“What did you say that hair piece looked like?”  I asked in shortwave (Kimeru)

“Kwani what does it look like?”  Evasive - this didn’t sound good.  I tried my best to describe the tangled mess.
 
“That sounds like the one.  Hey, don’t worry, it will turn out fine.”

All assurance gone, I sat docile as the stylist did her thing.  To my credit, I managed to make her repeat the little cornrows in front, preferring a simpler style to a complex artistic rendering.  Then I watched in consternation as she weaved the dubious piece on the rest of my head.  How was I ever going to keep that mop of curls tidy?  

“Just run your fingers through in the morning,” she instructed as she pushed, pulled, picked and patted to achieve this huge afro.

I’ve observed over the years that sisters are the people most likely to tell you the boldest truth about the way you look.  Quite unabashed, a sister will tell you when you look ‘shau’ or when your tumbo or other parts of the body are ‘sticking out’.  But when they suspect you can’t handle the reality, that you have too much to lose, they will be most kind in their comments.  

So I wasn’t surprised when I got home, “It’s nice … really”, and “Wow!”  My younger sister waited a whole three weeks, until I had removed the weave, to say I reminded her of pictures of Michael Jackson at age thirteen!  Seeing as I am not much on make-up, I didn’t find that hard to believe at all.  

I’ve never seen a hairdo elicit so many diverse comments.  Reactions ranged from ‘oh’ to ‘totally cool’; the former from my peers, the latter from the youth at church.  Others said it was different, unique, kinda cute….  The classic:  “Makena, no matter your hairdo, we know you are the same sweet person inside.”   

That is around the time I really began to enjoy myself.  I decided I might as well have fun while this hairdo lasted.   You never know who might say what next!  It was going to be a great three weeks.  Except for one thing - the time it took to get this ‘do’ looking decent in the morning!  

The hairdresser’s instruction to just run my fingers through worked for a day or two.  After that I was on my own!  Every morning I had this matted, tangled thing to deal with.  Eventually I discovered what really works, (any hairstylist worth their salt would pay good money for this information):  Step one:  use a wide toothed comb to unsnarl the tangles.  Expect the comb to pull out a lot of hair.  Have a trash bin nearby.  Result – hair stretches into a wide halo (really wide!) around your head.  You don’t want to step out looking like that.  Step two:  Pat down hair (no, erase that) push and knead halo back into a shapely afro.  Result:  tight curls frame your face in a natural look.  Step three:  Pray that it stays put.  Count it a blessing if the day goes by without someone making reference to a certain comedian in your presence.  If they do, determine not to be offended.  

My sister redeemed herself by trimming the halo again and again to keep the curls fresh and tangle free.  As for me, I learned that it is possible to enjoy a hairdo you are not so sure about; and that you and everyone else will soon get used to it.

There is a verse in the Bible that I like to think was written for the woman more than anyone else.  “And even the hairs on your head are all numbered,” it says, “So don’t be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows.”  Apparently God pays even more attention to our hair than we do - He counts it!  These words signify that God cares about even the smallest details of our lives.  About those who entrust their lives to Him through Jesus Christ, he said, “not a hair of your head will perish”!  

So if you are having a ‘bad hair day’, literally or in a manner of speaking, put your trust in God, whose love in Christ covers it all.  He is firmly in control and will bring you through.

About The Author: Makena Mwithia has a wealth of writing experience. She is an avid reader and insightful writer, and loves working with children.

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