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loves me unconditionally, and calls me beautiful. By the time I finished searching the site, I felt hopeful.

Okay, so my first wig came (ordered through the Internet) and with trembling hands, I put it on. It was a complete disaster! The color was totally wrong, and it looked like roadkill on my head. I thought to myself that I should probably just commit suicide, and get it over with, if this is what it's like to wear a wig. I cried and threw it across the room. But my friends in the wig support group told me that it is a learning process, a matter of trial and error, and some wig companies would let you make exchanges, if you ordered the wrong one. So a few days later, I ordered once again. This time when it arrived, and I placed it on my head, it was magical! I looked like me again! (That was all I'd ever wanted-just to feel normal again.)

Then I did something completely insane. I wore it to my mom's house the next day. I guess I should explain that my mom is a little critical at times, and very outspoken. So I was definitely risking my emotional health by trying it out on her. She got in my car, and flipped down the mirror on her side. After gazing at herself a moment, she said, "My hair looks awful today!" Then she glanced over at me and said, "Your hair looks nice today." (Bingo-the suicide was cancelled! She liked it!) My next thought was, if I could fool my own mother, then other people would surely be fine with it too. All day long, I glanced sheepishly out from under the wig, wondering if people were staring and pointing, and saying, "There she is-the impostor. She's wearing fake hair! Look everybody." But to my utter delight, not one person said anything. Within a few days, people were telling me how gorgeous my hair was. It took a few months to learn to politely smile and just say, "Thank you."

Now I am the proud owner of too many wigs to count! It is very similar to a shoe addiction. The pursuit for the perfect wig never ends. And the whole experience has been delightful! It is so convenient. I care for my widowed mom, and need to be ready to go at a moment's notice. No more having to spend an hour in the bathroom every day, blow drying and curling and fussing with my hair. I cannot tell you how many compliments I get, and my husband adores my wigs. I guess it's like having a one woman harem! I never have a bad hair day! And I can still enjoy my own hair around the house. (I'm not anywhere near bald yet.)

So why would I "out" myself in front of the whole world? Because I want to encourage someone who might be going through the same thing. To a woman, our hair is our glory. It is part of who we are, and to lose it is frightening. But wigs today are far different than they were in your mother's day. They even have monofilament parts that look like the hair is growing straight out of your head. The styles are fantastic, and with Internet prices they are affordable for everyone. Joining an Internet wig support group will provide answers to all your questions, as well as helpful tips and photos. So you can hold your pretty little head high and know that you look terrific! I can truly say that one of the greatest blessings in my life has been being able to find beautiful wigs at reasonable prices. I actually look 5 years younger, and my smile shines brighter than ever, because I feel good about myself . And you will too!

Learn more about this author, Lonnette Harrell.
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