Holiday Haircuts

I got my hair cut last weekend by Roxeanne, a San Fernando Valley Super Cuts wizard that doubles as my conscience. I see her every four weeks and when I leave with less hair I always feel filled up, rejuvenated. Roxeanne talks about music and art and politics and I barely get in a word. She cracks jokes and cuts and cuts and cuts. She asks about my family and she updates me about her husband. Each haircut feels like a lunch with an old friend.

Roxeanne asked me what I was doing for Thanksgiving, and I told her the usual--spending the day at my parents' house with my brothers, watching football in the morning, eating until I can't breathe in the afternoon. Then Roxeanne told me her Thanksgiving plans. "I'm going to be at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium giving haircuts to the homeless," she said without a whisper of self-righteousness. "We feed about 5,000 people and give them haircuts and medical supplies."

She continued clipping my hair and asked how my writing was coming. Most days I would complain about how my story wasn't going anywhere, or how frustrated I was with my characters, but I sat in the chair with my conscience pushing me to the ground. How can I complain about writing when there are people like Roxeanne in the world who spend their Thanksgiving helping people in need, people who would love to trade their problems for mine? What a blessing it is to have the time and the means to write.

Tomorrow I'll be with my family, and that is a blessing itself, but the least I can do is let others know about what Roxeanne is doing. If you are interested in helping this cause, the information is posted below.

Westside Thanksgiving Celebration
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium
1855 Main St., Santa Monica
November 22, 2007 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy your writing.