The Best Gift I Have Ever Received
I have a story about my friend Jenny
When I suddenly lost all my hair from Alopecia it was December of my senior year of college and I leaned on my friends a lot.
I still lean on my friends a lot.
Especially my close girlfriends.
One of those being Jenny
I met Jenny my very first day of college freshman year. We lived on the same floor and despite her first impression of me as being 'the weird girl' on the floor (probably accurate) we became close friends.
Jenny is one of those friends that will show up when you really need it, 100% of the time, no matter what.
One thing I have always really admired about Jenny is her thoughtfulness and generosity.
...And her gift giving abilities !!
Doesn't everyone have that one friend that just gives... the best gifts ?
For me.. That is Jenny
They are always so personal and well thought out.
Every time my birthday came around I always got the BEST gift from her. And every time her birthday came around... I always fretted what to get her knowing I would never be as good of a gift giver as her.
It did not have to be my birthday to be on the receiving end of Jenny's thoughtfulness either! I’d get random cards and gifts from her when she saw something that reminded her of me like a headband or a funny shirt...
And this story is about one of those random times.
The reason I have no hair is because I have Alopecia.
I am thankful to have a wonderful relationship with my Alopecia, it has taught me so much and turned me into the person I am today. I love rocking my bald head all over the world.
Being bald is a look I absolutely adore... however I also enjoy having a good wig to wear when the mood strikes!
I went through wig after wig until I finally found the wig of all wigs, the PERFECT wig for me, the Freedom Wig (Check out my blog about the Freedom Wig here)!
These wigs are awesome and I was SO excited to get mine! They are 100% custom-made to me and use virgin human hair, meaning never dyed, processed or stripped.
It takes a couple of months for these wigs to be made due to the detail and quality behind them.
They can take even longer if the color of hair you chose is not in stock.
Well, turns out the color and length I wanted was not fully in stock. Due to this reason it was proving longer than usual for my wig to be made.
...And then it proved to be even longer.
Sigh
I remember understanding, it is all part of the process of getting a wig to this caliber, but being so completely bummed that it was taking this long for the right hair to come in. I wanted my new hair before I made the move from Columbus to Chicago. So excited about having my first freedom wig, I was anxious to have it in my possession!
My very first day in Chicago
Moving day...
I’ll never forget it.
My father and I were driving back from Home Depot when I got a text from Jenny. It was a picture of Jenny smiling so big. In this picture she no longer had her super long brown hair... but very short hair. She was holding a large manilla envelope addressed to my Freedom Wig representative Jody.
Honestly it took me a moment to wrap my mind around it, for it to click...
“Oh Jenny got a new hair cut, it’s cute!”
“Why is she holding an envelope?”
“It’s addressed to a Jody G"
"Wait, I know a Jody G"
"How does she know her, what could she be..."
OHHHHH
Tears, Tears
MORE TEARS
My dad was driving and just looking at me like WHAT? What happened, what are you okay??
I was just sobbing, I couldn’t form a sentence.
The hair was for me.
...A short time later, my freedom wig had arrived
Jenny's hair (that she has never dyed in her life) was the finishing touch.
To this day I do not know how she thought to do this, this organization DOES NOT operate on a donation basis, or how she even found Jody's contact information.
It was an act of kindness and thoughtfulness that I will never forget or be able to return.
How I got so lucky as to have a friend like her... I really don't know.
The gift Jenny gave me is the best gift I have ever physically received. A part of her has literally been with me so many steps of my life, right on top of my head :)
But if I really think about it, it is Jenny, and all the Jenny's in my life that are the best gifts I have actually ever received.
Traveling around the world and being away from those I love has really made me understand how important the relationships you have with your family and friends are. They are meant to be cherished and acknowledged. Far greater than any material possession, it is your friends and family that truly make your life special. I try my best to not let geography or life get in the way of putting in the time it requires to acknowledge these relationships, but I know I can always do better.
And shout out to all those people I do lean on.. you know who you are...
Jenny gave me her hair...
and the gift I am most proud to have given Jenny are plates shaped like pizza slices..
You do the math ;)
THANK YOU JENNY, I LOVE YOU, YOU ARE A BEAUTIFUL HUMAN
Jenny and I have traveled 3 continents, countries, and 14 states together and I cannot wait for what is next!
Who is your Jenny?
Do you have any Jenny stories? I would love to here them, comment below!
If you too have Alopecia and are looking for the perfect wig I highly recommend the Freedom Wig and you can find all the information you need on Jody's website HERE or my post all about my Freedom Wig HERE
BONUS PICTURES..
I'm sorry I could not help myself .. :)
To anyone that was curious about the best gift I have ever given Jenny...
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