Loc'd and Loving It

I started loc’ing my hair up in February 2007. A glorious new beginning! HA, yeah right… From trying other people’s suggestions (e.g. hair glue on the tips to keep them from unraveling) to figuring out the natural coil of my hair to crying uncontrollably on the floor because of my frustration–I was far from glorious. Look at some of my pics from when they were a little shorter and you can tell I’m forcing a smile.

Let me tell you, before I started I thought this could not be difficult. I was proven otherwise. Anyway, to make a long story short, I made it through. I was determined to start and maintain my own locs. I refuse to pay some African hair shop $100 just to begin my locs and about $50 to $75 maintain them regularly…and that’s the lowest fee I found.

Many of my old classmates or friends in my hometown ask me, “Why did you do ‘this’ to your hair?! You had pretty hair!” ……. THIS?! What is THIS?! As I LAST recall, THIS is my hair! I can do what the @$(*&#$^ I want to do with it! …. Of course, I did not say this to them, especially if they were my elders. I think it is very flattering! And that is what locs should do. Make you proud to be who you are in front of whomever. So now when people ask me why I have dreads, I ask them, “Why not?” and they usually end up baffled with nothing else to say. (hehehe, bliss).

Now, I can’t imagine cutting my locs…well…the thought crossed my mind, but, uh, I didn’t act on it. So that counts! Moving on… Now don’t go thinking I’m some tree-hugging hippie or some Neo Soul Diva (…well, a little). I am a Diva nonetheless. My locs are an extension of myself. People can barely remember me without them, especially since they have grown. I never tire of wanting to roll my eyes at those who when I first got my locs said, “Dreadlocks are dirty. They are not for me blah, blah, blah…” and now seeing my hair that proves their theory otherwise say, “Oh, I was going to do locs. They are so pretty. I just couldn’t do it. It looks hard. I really want them, now. How do you…” Hehehe, sweet bliss. But I don’t remind them of what they said, beause it would ruin our friendship…for the moment (believe me, I contemplated it).

I hope to continue to grow my locs as I age. Not to mention, the day I have a child I won’t have to worry about my hair when a picture is taken of me. My face on the other hand…(lol)

Check out my other blogs at:

http://my4tress.wordpress.com/category/locs