Ceremony & Celebration: Embracing Change with Courage and Joy

During my second session of chemotherapy, my hair decided to embark on a spontaneous evacuation mission from my scalp. I made a pact with my daughter. "If my hair falls out," I promised, "you shall have the honor of shaving my hair." I patiently awaited her return from school, itching with anticipation - literally itching because, you know, my hair was falling out.

Finally, the moment arrived. We gathered all the necessary supplies for our hair shaving ceremony. Picture this: there we were, on our balcony, ready to embrace the artistry of hairlessness. To mark the occasion, I adorned my ears with a new pair of earrings.

This ceremony was no ordinary affair. It was a multi-generational, where three generations united to bear witness to the great hair flight. My mother, played the role of the official videographer, capturing the magical transformation from hair to smooth scalp. It was a touching moment—a testament to our resilience and a demonstration of solidarity against the hair-stealing cancer forces.

Rituals hold profound significance in our lives, even if we don't always recognize them. Just like when you lose a job and find yourself meandering through the desert of uncertainty, ceremonies help navigate those treacherous dunes of grief. We bid farewell to what once was, gathering with friends, reminiscing about the good times, and releasing the sorrow into the ether.

Without these ceremonial rites, we risk becoming trapped in a vortex of perpetual unhappiness. Imagine being stuck in a never-ending loop of "what ifs?" and "why me?" It would be like watching a never-ending series of sad movies, with no relief in sight. Sounds like a nightmare.

As I navigated the bumpy roads of hair loss and other bodily transformations, I realized the power of these quirky ceremonies. They allowed me to ground myself during the chaos, releasing the flood of emotions and making way for brighter days. Sure, there were tears shed over my lost body part, but I quickly dusted myself off, put on my superhero cape, and embraced the new normal with a smile on my face.

Now, let me tell you a secret—life is far too short to dwell in the land of sorrow and self-pity. Sure, cancer may have stolen a few things from me, but it will never snatch my zest for life, my passion for joy. Through these ceremonious practices, I have learned to bid farewell to grief, anger, and all their pesky companions.

The power of ceremonies, may they guide us through the dark tunnels of loss and into the dazzling light of a new beginning. Let us embrace the absurdity of life, for it is in those moments of whimsy that we truly find ourselves. And if you ever find yourself facing a frightening challenge, remember—create your own ceremony and bid it farewell.

#expressivearts #mentalhealth #ceremony #celebration