Wednesday, November 28, 2007

It's my Anniversary! 4 yrs today!


I remember when I joined Lockitup Yahoo group along with Nappturality less than two weeks after I was Sisterlocked and saw sisters sign off of their posts, "SL'd 48 months" and I was thinking to myself, "Geez, I'm 'no' month!" And alas, the day has come where I sign off, too, with hopefully more to add as the days, weeks, months and years go by, more of what I've been blessed to experience the past four years. I asked Jen a week ago if she had it all to do over what would she have done differently about getting Sisterlocks. Her reply was simply, "I'd have gotten them ten years sooner!" I concur. For anyone who's visited and sorted through my blog or Fotki album over the past couple of years and seen pictures of old, you'd know where I've been and how far I've come. Yes, for those who haven't experienced it yet, it is indeed a journey, but one worth the trip. I have days when I think, "I'll cut em' all off and start over. I know what all the stages feel like and it would be no big deal going through those stages again." I also ponder the day I'll ever color my hair again. Yes, still many things to consider while on this journey.
A word of solace for those who have "thinning crowns". I too, started out with a thin crown and over the years have either overlooked the fear of balding or obsessed over it. It is what it is. It's still thin up top and sometimes it's more obvious than other times. Unfortunately, I can say that if you are having a thinning crown problem, Sisterlocks will not "fix" the problem, but it can definitely help camouflage the situation. My hair began to noticeably thin out on top some time in 1998 when I was religiously wearing individual braids for about 4 years straight, with no breaks. I think it was just too much stress on the top of my hair, not to mention a very stressful job and lifestyle back then. I finally got locked 5 yrs later, so quite a bit more damage without solutions was done. So go figure. Like I said, it is what it is.

I do miss the short and sassy locked days simply because more hair means more to shampoo and deal with. I mean, this mane gets heavy when shampooing in the shower. I also have a harder time holding curls. Not too happy about that. I guess that comes with learning how to manage and take care of a new length of hair. As far as growth is concerned, Jen nor I can go 3 1/2 to 4 weeks without having to retighten, which is a bit of a pain. From year 3 to 4 it seems we have experienced major growth spurts. I don't mind it slowing down, cause I need a break! Locked, my hair spans up to 10-11 inches, the longest my hair has ever been in my life, as stated many times before. It's nothing for me to throw a scrungee on and hit the door! With my busy schedule 1st year teaching, it has been a lifesaver.

So for now, I'll send a heart-felt thank you to all those beautiful, dynamic, strong and resourceful locked women and men who've followed the trip with me so far. I now have soooo many friends and loved ones world-wide, and who'd of thought it all was birthed from me being "sick and tired of being sick and tired of dealing my nappy hair".

I'm considering a 2008 New Years Locked Hair Collage and video in the Locked Hair Blog Exchange. I'd really like to do a special collage of sisters, mothers, and daughters. I think that would be so beautiful since so many women are inspiring their loved ones to return to their natural selves and come home to Sisterlocks! I'll blog more perhaps when school lets out in about 3 weeks. This took longer than I expected tonight and I still have grades to enter in the system. Stay tuned!!!

Blessings...

29 comments:

Mel said...

Congratulations Maryee!!!

Your hair looks wonderful; such an inspiration to those of us in the earlier stages of Sisterlocks.

still waters said...

Maryee
Happy Lockaversary

oh bwoy your locks are lovely and the time has flown!!!!! I am loving the length(:

one love still

ps thanks for being so open and honest about your sisterlocks experience (:

Unknown said...

Happy lockversary, Maryee!!!! Your hair looks even longer and fuller since the last time i saw you!!!

THANK YOU for sharing your journey with us. As i've said before, you were my locking inspiration and 'bible.'I read your blog from cover to cover the weeks previous to my installation. It was invaluable.

Here's to hoping my journey inspires others, too!! :)

Lakia said...

WOW 4 YEARS!!! I often times too thing about... ok... when will I be able to say that I have been locked for such and such months or years. Your hair has grown beautifully over the years, and your blog was definietly an inspiration for me to get my sisterlocks.

THANK YOU!!

Anonymous said...

WOW!! 4 years huh?! I can't even imagine my hair in 4 years... I've also been a lurker on your blog since before my installation.

Your hair is beautiful!! It's got to be a joy looking at your pics from install to the present. I've only been locked a little over a year and I can't even remember my hair being this length so again, I can't even imagine how it will look in 4 years...

Congratulations!!!!

V @ Locks-N-Motion said...

Happy Lockvesary! Your hair looks amazing. It has really grown over the years. Gotta love Sisterlocks!

Wrinkle-Free Diva said...

Maryee...Congrats on Year #4. It's amazing how far you have come. Your hair looks fabulous! I really appreciate your frank comments about thinning at the crown. I too have major thinning at the crown which I obsess over from time to time. Thank you for giving me a reality check. Like you said, it is what it is. Hang in there...winter break is almost here (says this fellow teacher who threatened to put her 8th graders up for adoption today!)!

Helga said...

Pretty, pretty, pretty! Great post, and very encouraging comments about the post-braid extension blues. I wore braids off and on since age 18 (I'm much older now!), and I too am dealing with the results of the excessive tension. Irregardless, your hair looks stunning and gives no indication of thinning. Very nice.

Jena Evans said...

Congrats, sister... Your story is darling...

I'm glad you became "sick and tired of being sick and tired"...

Your locs look wonderful and you are a delight to have as a friend and sister.

Happy Loc'versary!!!!!

ja stu sisterlock journey said...

Congrats, your hair is fabulous,thanks for sharing your experience with the journey,It gives me so much encourgement and hope looking forward to the progress of this freedom of wearing my hair all natural and sisterlocked.

All The Best.

Goodnapps said...

You're definitely fabulous Maryee. Thanks so much for sharing and being a wonderful inspiration. Congratulations on 4 years strong.

muslimahlocs said...

happy lociversary miss maryee. hope to see you back in CA one day, God-willing.

brunsli said...

Happy Anniversary Maryee!

Your hair looks wonderful!

Thanks for sharing your journey (and some of your life) on your blog and organizing the Locked Blog Exchange!

Detra said...

Happy Anniversary Maryee!

I'm so happy that you shared your before pictures for those thinking of SL's but nervous about thin hair. To look at your hair now, will certainly assure them, that the end result will be a beautiful mane of hair.

Your hair looks awesome and I am so amazed with your length growth.

Aya said...

Wow Maryee, your locks just keep getting more beautiful. I can only hope my locks will be as nice as yours when I get to four years. Congratulations!!!!

Shanessence said...

Congrats! Looking fabulous!

N'Drea ~ the Storyteller said...

Happy Lockaversary. What an incredible journey. Your hair looks amazing. You're truly an inspiration.

Kwasmrs said...

I am newly locked and I also have a thinning crown. Thank you for sharing your photos and for the encouragement. I'm sure it will not be as noticeable once I gain some length.

Happy Anniversary!! Your locks are amazing :-)

Chelsea

Abena Abena said...

Happy Lockversary!!! Fierce, just Fierce!!!!

Maryee said...

Ladies,

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and well wishes of my Sisterlock journey. It has been a blessing sharing this experience with you all!

knotsnlocks said...

wow. and you know what? to me, pictures don't always do the hair justice, but it's so apparent from the start to the 4th. amazing.

Anonymous said...

Sorry I am so late to the party! Happy belated Locversary! Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing your journey and your passion and your talent with us! It is evident through the proliferation of blogs established via your encouragement that your creativity and love of natural hair touches many. As Maya Angelou says-shine on, shine on, the world needs more people like you! One person, one small group can make a difference. Dr. C and her family/staff, Imani Nash-Bey, you and your sister are all living proof of this philosophy. Thank you for representing.

Joyfull Locks

Maryee said...

knotsnlocks,

I know when I see in your blog how your said you started with about 2 inches of natural hair, I myself am truly amazed. Your hair is a beautiful example of patience that has paid off! Blessings...

Joyfull Locks (Dee),

Thanks for the kind well wishes. I am humbled by your comments. I am blessed and thankful for all those whom you give credit to as well. I truly believe that what we have started will continue to make an impact in the lives of those who are questioning their love or lack there of their hair and themselves. The movement can only get better, and yes one person can make a difference. Many blessings to you in the new year!!!

Naturally Sophia said...

Sorry I missed this post. Congrats on your anniversary. And look how thick your hair is now. Nice!

Anonymous said...

Hi I just found your blog when I was looking for natural black hairstyles. Wow 4 years and your hair looks great. I am a natural sista myself I permed my hair once and it did not do wonders for my hair but left it with breakage. Anyway my hair has thankfully grown back and now I am sporting a big afro which takes a lot of care and attention because afro hair is so delicate. But I think locks look so good. This is a great blog you have here blog. I also speak on the topic of black womens hair, kepping it natural.

http://lilkemet.wordpress.com/

SeZ said...

4 years WOW, your progress has been wonderful. So let me ask you, has it been a good decision? It looks like it has!

Anonymous said...

Your pics showing your sls at the start is one of the things that encouraged me when I started considering going from traditional locs to sls. My hair was thin on top too and I was glad to see how your hair was transformed in spite of the thinness. So here I am, 6wks sisterlocked. I'm very glad I made that decision. Thanks for blogging, it's been very helpful to me.
Ofo

Maryee said...

Naturally Sophia, Sez, Ofo, and friends,

Thanks for your kind comments. This journey has been an experience of a life time. Glad to be of encouragement and inspiration to others. Givin' Him the Praise!!! Blessings...

Maryee said...

Sez,

I'm sorry, I didn't answer your question. Yes, it was a great decision. I was pleased with my installation and the care of my CA. consultant, to being rescued into freedom by my TX consultant who taught me how re-tighten my hair. I'll take locks over any other style or way of wearing your hair ANY DAY. Blessings...