when i sat down at the salon recently, after a long day, ready to relax and be pampered, little did i know this experience would turn into such an unexpected human encounter. i was assigned a new stylist, ‘w.’ he was young, feminine, full of tatts, with asymmetrical hair, earrings, and looked to be trying to establish his individuality, and find his place, both in the salon and in the world. he was quiet and gentle, and listened to what i had hoped to see happen with my hair, and then we began the transformation process.
as time passed and we talked, and shared a common space, he said i made him laugh with my openness and my stories, and i noticed that he became more relaxed and talkative, and let down his guard a bit. i asked him what had inspired him to want to do hair and he slowly shared his story. we had coffee as he worked his magic, and he told me stories about his life. at times, we both laughed out loud, at times it was quiet, as he continued on with his tale.
he had always loved to do hair, was badly bullied most of his life, felt that only one person in his family truly accepted him the way he was, how he was alone, but that he had found hope, and after he was established he planned to move south to the carolinas to try to find his old love and begin again.
then came the story, so incredibly sad, about how he had decided to end his own misery one day, and was saved from it by a surprise puppy he had always longed for, (a unexpected gift from the person who understood him), licking him on his face, waking him up, from what he had expected to be his last sleep, on the morning of what he had planned to be his last day. something about the puppy, instantly loving him unconditionally, with no judgement, changed him and his plan. he knew at that moment he needed to take care of this puppy who was helpless, and loved him and needed him. this puppy, this gesture, had saved his life. this was the turning point when he decided life was worth living and to go and live it on his own terms. he had found the hope he needed to go on another day. we both were openly weeping at this point.
he said, ‘i don’t know why, but i’ve never told anyone this. it felt like you wouldn’t judge me for it though and thank you for listening and caring. i’m sorry i was crying and made you cry too.’ i told him i was so happy that he felt comfortable enough to share this with me, and that it was my pleasure to meet someone who so clearly overcame great odds and yet, continued on. i told him he was an inspiration.
it was 3 hours of my life, sitting in his chair, sharing stories, drinking coffee, laughing and crying, and it was an amazing connection, a human story of the finest sort, from a person who, when all was lost to him, found his way and his hope once again.
in the end we hugged, and as we each went our separate ways, i told him i’d see him soon, when i needed some more of his hair magic and to share more stories. when i called soon after to schedule my next appointment with him, they said that ‘w’ had left the salon without explanation and was not coming back. i hope he is working his way towards the carolinas.
—
If truth is beauty, how come no one has their hair done in the library? – Lily Tomlin
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I didn't have my glasses on.... 
True : about “truth is beauty” . Sad that “w” won’t be here for the next time(s)
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radio – yes, i agree )
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Do you think he would have wanted what he shared with you posted on the internet ???
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What a great post! Sadness, happiness, loss, redemption and mystery. It’s all there. Well done.
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al – thank you, and i think it embraces the many parts of a life
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I hope and pray that this human being is alive and finding help. Help is out there, often closer than anyone believes. If he is reading this blog, I pray to God that he is guided to a safe haven.
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talking trees – i do as well
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You breathed life into this man’s heart and showed him love, Beth! You are a magnificent storyteller and I was blessed with this story of a puppy, change, hope and new adventures on this stylist’s horizon!
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robin – thank you on all counts, i was just the listener, but what he needed. i am hopeful for him as well )
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We seem to get people to reveal their stories to us, don’t we? A blessing for us and it is always good to hear about a possible happy ending for a human being whose path crossed ours! I am sure you are a special friend and listener, too!
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yes we do for some reason )
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A wonderful story. It’s touching that he found someone he could connect with in you and shows that we can all do good, sometimes just by listening to others.
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cotton boll – yes, i think listening to other people is underrated many times –
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Inspiring story for the downtrodden. And in truth, there is beauty, too. 🙂
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yes, it was inspiring and you are right )
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Super thoughtful! Great work!
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thank you so much )
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Your post about Story … so powerful. To be trusted with another’s story (the real stuff) is an unfathomable privilege. Your post is intensely other-centered, and indicative of the profound beauty one can encounter by being wisely attentive to the struggles, and the victories, of the human soul. You were in the right place at the right time to be a lighthouse to a sojourner in an ongoing storm. Thanks for this post, KSBETH.
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otherside – it was my pleasure and i feel lucky to have crossed paths with this young man –
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So beautiful. So honest and real. So Beth.
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breeda – thank you )
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It’s as if, by speaking the truth, he could move on to whatever’s next. It’s cool not just that he spoke truth and that you helped bring it out, but that he actually knew his truth. That knowledge doesn’t always come easily.
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david – you are exactly right, it was what he needed to do before he could continue on his journey.
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Great article. You can find magic in the unlikeliest of places.
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krishnan – thank you and you are so right )
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wonderful story – thanks for sharing
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duncan – my pleasure )
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I always find it fascinating how we seem to cross paths with certain people at exactly the right time.
He seems like one of those amazing people that are so hard to come by nowadays. (Yet there are so many of us here. 😉 )
Hope he’s doing okay wherever he may be.
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daydreams – yes, i find it fascinating as well. i am hopeful for him as well )
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It’s like something out of one of those feel-good films on Hallmark. Really lovely encounter! Inspiration indeed 🙂
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yes, kind of like a lifetime channel movie with tatts and piercings.
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😀 It takes all kinds – there was probably lots of saving kittens from trees after you left! I can tell!
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)))
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Lovely story, thanks for sharing
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thank you )
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I hope he is ok, wherever he is.
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me too –
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A touching true story, Beth. You’ve a gift, I reckon, that you could send out such vibes to encourage that young man to open up. I hope and pray that he is well and lives the life he is meant to live.
Unconditional love is true love, yes.
Peace,
Eric
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thank you, i just listen and am always fascinated by the human story. i am full of hope for him as well )
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I hope I see him, Beth. These shared moments with people transform us. They are real beauty.
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me too and yes they do change us forever in a beautiful way
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I have said this before and I shall proudly say again – what a beautiful, empathetic and loving soul you are- I read this on my phone this morning and the warm and fuzzies grew within me. Thank you for caring and being the person you are and I hope W is on his way in happiness to the Carolinas. You gave him hope, compassion and an ear and I am sure he will be remembering that on his travels. xxx
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so very kind of you to say jen, i just happened to be in the right place at the right time, and i hope he is on his way too )
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That is one remarkable haircut.
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indeed –
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Wow.
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yes –
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I love this story. Sure you don’t have this kind of connection very often… It’s beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
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thank you and it was my pleasure, haley )
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Reblogged this on I am Alice and commented:
Wow, what a beautiful, uplifting story… A must read…
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thank you so much alice, for reading and for reposting ) beth
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That’s beautiful. Love is as powerful as it is unexpected.
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ty michelle and that is so true –
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very touching story…
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ty deb )
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I love the way you write I hope he is to on the way to the Carolina’s, with his sweet puppy.
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thank you so much, and i hope so too )
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This was fascinating, moving, and a perfect illustration of the power of human connection. Loved it.
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thank you, what a kind comment )
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WONDERFUL post. I’m so glad I read this today. Thank you.
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thank you so much, ann )
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wonderful story, incredibly touching
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ty
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