Rose-Colored Compassion Needed Today

Still humble and surprised by two long hugs, from a woman sitting behind me in church two days prior, the phone message was also uplifting. If my life-altering disease of Alopecia has been a difficulty in my life for 18 months, its effect on people who witness me with Alopecia is the opposite. Whether I stand in an ice cream line waiting to order, stand in front of someone in church before confession or grocery shop, caring people envelope me in their arms before I know it. I have been truly moved by people who don’t know me or my condition.

The wisdom in the hugs is the fact people need to give them to me. It is about them and their story, not mine. “My sister has breast cancer. What do you have?” says the lady in church. “My husband has stage four prostate cancer – see him sitting over there?” states another woman in an ice cream line waiting to order. “I have just been diagnosed with bile duct cancer and it’s difficult to accept. What about you?” This phenomenon of kindness, compassion and storytelling goes wherever I go when my bald head and lack of eyebrows or eyelashes appear under a rose-colored hat.

In a world where the American red hat has ultimately created division and lack of acceptance of others who are not like us, the rose-colored hat proves the opposite. The pink shaded hat attracts love and empathy towards me from strangers. Many think I have cancer and I understand why. In 2018, 17 million new cases of cancer were found. In 2019, 6.8 million people are living with alopecia. The statistics prove more people are touched by cancer than alopecia.

My typical response to anyone sharing their story is, “I’m sorry to hear about you or your family members’ situation. I will keep them in my prayers.” A hug is always exchanged. These short and sweet interactions have strengthened my resolve and belief that people are good. I’m also keen to people who are hurting, but go unnoticed in appearance, unless a conversation or hug is exchanged.

We don’t need to have relatives in the Bahamas as Hurricane Dorian creates massive destruction to send compassionate thoughts and prayers to them. Just like it isn’t hard to open our eyes and notice the person in front, behind or next to us, who might be struggling with their health or life circumstance, and share a compassionate word or embrace to feel better.