On May 13, 2009, my children successfully completed a rite of passage for childhood.  They did it with reckless abandon and fully confident that what they were doing was brilliant.  They were proud of this accomplishment.

But alas, their pride was short lived and shattered the minute I gasped, shrieked and cried, “NOOOOOOOO,” before bursting into tears.

The home done haircut.  We all did it as kids.  I cut my bangs to the scalp when I was five and my mom reacted with similar shock, horror and anger to mine this day last year.  But you see – my kids, they never do anything small.  Oh no – they go full in, balls to the walls, after life.  It’s a quality that will serve them well in life.

Provided that neither one of them ever decides to become a hairdresser, of course…

I give you – the haircut: Before and After.

Before:

One year later:

Before:

One year later:

Before:

One year later:

Before:

One year later:

In the midst of my grief last year, so many people were sweet enough to remind me that I would one day look back on that moment and laugh.  They were right – I do.  But I also still remember that horror and the heavy pit in my stomach.  So while I may laugh, I also cringe.

For Sloan’s sake, however, I have lifted the ban on his usage of scissors.  This time last year he was forbidden to use them until he was 104.  So as you can see, I have come a long way…