I recently traveled to my hometown for my nieces’ graduations. I had a blast! I was a bit nervous because this would be the first time most of my family (besides those who have seen my Facebook picture) would see my shaven head.

I walk through the door and my Dad doesn’t say a word. His wife, on the other hand, looks at me and says, “Sheila, we’ll go through my bag of wigs in the morning.” Nice to see you too, I thought. The next day she grills me about doctors, shots, and Rogaine.…

I’m filled so much gratitude right now. The dermatologist just called with my test results. Everything came back normal! At first I was a little disappointed then I was relieved and grateful. I accept that no one is able to give me a definite cause. I’ve also seen my endocrinologist. It’s funny how last Friday I was so anxious and worried that the dermatologist was going to tell me my hair would never grow back. While waiting for those test results this week, I had all sorts of thoughts…

It’s been fifteen days since I shaved my head.

I knew it was going to happen sooner or later. For some reason, I thought it was going to happen later. Well, yesterday I got “the question.”

I knew it was going to happen and I was still taken aback by it.

I guess it’s because the person who asked me wasn’t a friend. It wasn’t out of concern. She was just being nosy. I assume she was asking because I shaved my head because didn’t even mention my new look. She didn’t even…

Tomorrow it will be a week since I shaved my head. The honeymoon is over and the reality of being bald is sinking in. Today was a rough day. Having second thoughts about shaving my head. I felt very self conscious. It took me forever to work up the nerve to go out for a walk. I don’t own any caps and my bandanas I usually wear to the gym now slip off. I finally got the bandana to work. Later I went to the store and that was total agony. After spending some time praying and meditating about…

Okay, leaving soon to meet some friends. It was okay running in and out of a few stores. Now, I'll be sitting in one place for a while. Feeling kind of anxious. What if people start staring at me? For a brief moment I thought about cancelling. Then I thought, screw it! Let them stare!…

Yesterday was a long, emotional meeting. I woke up with a bad headache which was good because I had to speak at a meeting. I debating whether or not to just shave my head before the meeting but decided to wait.

Later I had lunch with a friend, rushed home, and headed straight to the bathroom -- I stood there in silence and just starting chopping off my locs watching them fall to the floor. After the deed was done, I was so relieved. I had the biggest smile on my face. I was so…

OM BALD

Why is she bald?

Because she is….

Why, Sheila, why?

Well, why not?

It is not that serious.

It really isn’t that deep.

This is not a poem about losing hair.

This is a poem about being bold and beautiful.

This is a poem about living from the inside out.

If you do not understand, this is not the poem for you.

Perhaps there will be others.

For now, this is a poem for…

Spent a good part of yesterday telling a few trusted friends and family members what’s going on with my hair and what I’m planning to do. I already knew I’d be able to rally up a nice circle of support. The challenge now is just doing the deed. This is when the fear and apprehension comes in. One of my friends offered to do it for me. Not sure if I want her to do so, just be there for support, or just do it alone.

I also spent a good part of the evening reading about others’ journeys.…

So, I log into Facebook and see that a high school acquaintance has updated her profile picture. She’s bald and beautiful! She goes on to explain that she has Alopecia and has finally decided to cut her hair and embrace her condition. I found this so courageous and inspirational!

I have Alopecia and Hashimoto’s Disease which causes me to lose my hair. It eventually grows back but over the past three years the growth has been thinner and thinner. I thought about shaving my head back in…