One of my earliest memories is my Dad making dinner for us on Friday nights. He only cooked on Fridays because that was when Mom was at the hairdresser for her weekly appointment. I probably remember those dinners so well because Dad only cooked two things:
Scrambled eggs or Tuna glop.
I believe the ” Tuna Glop” consisted of a can of tuna mixed with cream of celery soup served over cornbread. It’s about as appealing as it sounds.
Some Fridays we made out if Mom cooked ahead of time and had it ready so the only thing Dad had to do was serve it. Back then I really didn’t get why Mom had to have this weekly outing. Now many years later I understand it was probably her only time away from us kids and the house. It was her girlfriend time. I’m sure there was a 1960’s Steel Magnolias thing going on at the shop and not only did the new “do” make her feel better but I’m sure the time away with other women did as well.
I remember going with her on a couple of occasions when her appointment was not on a Friday evening and I always thought it was strange to see the women in their curlers under those big bulbous hairdryers sleeping. My 6 or 7 year old self couldn’t understand why anyone would want to nap under a hairdryer. Why would anyone voluntarily take a nap? Of course I get it now and it seems like the perfect plan and the roots of multi-tasking: new hair do, girlfriend time and a little nap..the perfect trifecta..add in some wine and it would be amazing.
So fast forward a couple of decades and a change of location. My siblings and I are grown but the one thing we know for sure is that you don’t mess with Betty’s hair appointment. A tornado, hurricane or the apocalypse would be coming and you could be sure Betty would some how, some way make it to her hair appointment.
I still didn’t get this ( much like I didn’t get the napping earlier). I mean what happens if a hair appointment got skipped? I knew what would happen! Mom would be unhappy and my family knows “If Betty ain’t happy ain’t nobody happy.”
A couple of years ago my Dad started chauffeuring Mom to her hair appointments. He would regale the hairdressers with his latest jokes or stories, ask about their families, settle himself in with his newspaper and visit with those who were waiting their turns. My father was the original social butterfly..he truly loved to chat and have good conversations. The shop in turn loved my Dad.
I started to “get” why this shop was so special when the week of his 90th birthday they honored Dad with a surprise cake, candles, cards and treated him to a shampoo and blow dry with what little hair he had left. He was thrilled and touched. I heard all about it from Mom. She went on and on about how Bonnie and Joy and everyone else there had fun celebrating Dad.
When Dad unexpectedly passed away in March I took Mom for her hair appointment. Now I really got it. For one the shop is as nice as it could be. Not large but just so warm and lovely. Bonnie and Joy talked with me, told me how they loved my Dad, how they made sure he had his favorite cookies, his favorite red cup and how he was intrigued by the Keurig coffee maker and loved the hazelnut coffee which they, of course, made sure was there for him.
Their concern for my Mom as nothing short of amazing. As we left they handed us an abundance of food, their phone numbers, email addresses ..just about everything except one of their sinks.
And now some 4 months later I don’t like to miss the appointment with my Mom. It is a community of love and support. They even washed and blew dry my hair as a treat for being there for my Mom. It IS Steel Magnolias. I so get it!! Its not just the hair do..it’s an infusion of joy and love and I am ever so grateful to them. Here’s to the crew at Side Street Salon in Springfield, VA….Joy, Bonnie, Rosario, Sara and Natalie and everyone else who brightens Thursdays for us. Yes her appointment is always on a Thursday..so perfect! A living Thoughtful Thursday if I ever saw one.
Now go out and make it a Thoughtful one for you and someone else!
Love this!! I didn’t know the did a celebration for Dad.
These ladies are the best! They came to visit Black Dog Salvage and I gave them the behind the scenes tour. They have treated my Mom and Dad like celebrities for years. Before they left me when they visited Black Dog, they gave me their personal phone numbers and told me to call them if I ever needed them for ANYTHING! This is what a “it takes a village” is all about. These are true, caring individuals, a rare breed today. Thank you to all who work at Side Street Salon….you are truly the BEST! Bonnie and Joy thank you. You give small town service just outside of the nations capitol. Amazing. We know Mom loves you and we love you too.
Jenn, what a glorious story of life, love and support. It’s true that at different stages n our lives we don’t always ‘get’ the whole picture. As i’ve said before, you and I could share a lot of similar stories. Well written and heart-warming????
Thanks Kathryn..we will have to catch up soon..miss you!