Torontogirl; that minister recently retired, but I know it hurt her deeply because she told the story more than once and she repeated it after eight or ten years had elapsed.

Donna,undoubtedly - an awful insult for anyone to have to endure

Before I retired, I had a vibrant and involved co-worker who was bald due to alopecia. She sometimes wore a head-wrap in winter, but most of the time went without. She was confident, outgoing, and unapologetic. Climbing the corporate ladder and raising a young family. A beautiful, beautiful woman and she drew people to her like a flower draws bees!

I have very curly hair that I never straighten, and I have worn it just about every length. I think the length that suits me best is just touching the shoulders (with layers to maximize curl). I have had the urge to go short a couple of times in my life, but always regretted it afterwards. Curly hair is SO hard to grow out--it literally grows *out* before it grows down--and on me I think a short cut looks really...i dunno, basic? Whereas I think longer curls on me have a bit of an off-beat feel, which feels more like *me.* (Not very off-beat, just a little, lol.) It's too bad, because I love short hair on others--I love an edgy short cut.

I'm sure some people I encounter IRL think my hair is messy, or not styled appropriately, or not business-like. Whatever. I really don't give a rat's patootie.