Heather asked for a picture of my dreds. I thought with the picture I will tell you the story. I have loved dreads for 10+ years. I think one of my favourite things was the community aspect of them, your friends work on your dreads. I was always too scared to actually get them. Erika had a dream of me as an 80 year old woman with dreads. I thought, "I'm not too old for dreads but I am old enough to know what I want and I want dreads." This was during a very stressfull time when I was paying no attention to myself. Abigail had just been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (another long story). Erika invited other friends over with me and they pampered me for the afternoon (music, candles, wine, affirmation) and she started my dreads. In the months to come Eric (an old friend from S.F. who spends his life bringing Jesus to Rainbow gatherings) worked on them several more hours and finished by putting a silver bead he brought from Jerusalem into my hair. Pink Paul (quiet John the Baptist, wandering in the wilderness, heaven is my home) worked on my dreads and rubbed lavender oil into them while telling me about his love for and life with Jesus. Juliet brought in the colour (as she does in general just by being herself). We are the same age. As she spent hours on my hair she prayed for me, spoke prophetic images of being God's warrior into me and said she felt more accepted by God by me allowing her to put her personality into my hair. I now put indifferent colours of wool that I have spun and died myself depending on the season I am in. I even know the sheep my wool comes from. I also have some grey wool that matches my own grey that is from a local ancient breed of seaweed eating sheep. It may sound kinda wierd but it feels more like my hair than any other way I have had it. People say it suits me. The funny thing is that little old ladies seem to like it. The wool actually started out as hair extensions too because the dreads had shortened my hair so much. My own personal rebellion against human hair extensions but so much more than that, my friends, my Jesus and how he created me as an individual on the inside as well as the outside. I think He's smiling.
I've never even thought of having dreads before, but I love this story. What wonderful friends God has given you. Imagine you've got lots of wool around you too on that island. Is that where the sheep with that unusual soft curly wool are from or is that somewhere else? I love wool.I can spin, but haven't done much dyeing.
Posted by: cheryl | May 22, 2005 at 04:52 AM
Thanks so much! They look awesome and gorgeous! What I meant by lockfilled day was I'm awaiting the day for locks to return. I had baby dreads for about a month and had to get them taken out, and it weakened my hair a bit, so in order to have strong locks the next time around I have to wait for my hair to strengthen and all that jazz. I think its wonderful you have such a wonderful story to go along with your dreads.
I have 3 little ones, Mikah who will be 6 next month, Kiara who is 3.5, and Asa who will be 1 in August. Hope this finds you and your family well, take care girl!
Posted by: heather miller | May 22, 2005 at 06:17 AM
Cheryl,
Most of the sheep here are from shetland, which is known to be very soft. The North Ronaldsay are the breed that was booted out in most of the Orkneys by the "better", bigger, woolier new breeds. The North Ronaldsay islanders didn't want this to happen so they built a wall around the whole island and moved their native sheep to coastline side of the wall. The new breeds got the nice grassy fields. The North Ronaldsay sheep do well on seaweed. Their wool is real soft too and the colour mixed. Mark Scandrette was here and brought a huge chinese laundry sack of both breeds to his wife. I could send you some if you want, or better yet if you know someone coming up they I can give them some to bring back. Fleeces are quite inexpensive her. Most farmers charge nothing but we give them a gift. They would rather give them away than sell them to the mainland for the insulting price of 5 pence each.
Posted by: Debbie | May 22, 2005 at 08:58 AM
Love your site!! I visit often and really enjoy your realness! You really encourage me in my journey of motherhood with my 3 and I really benefit from the wisdom you've gained. Thanks for being my online mentor.
Posted by: Amy | May 23, 2005 at 02:34 PM
so great to see your dreads. they are awesome - they took me back to my baby prayer shower when i first saw you with all the colour. so so cool. unfortunately i have cut mine off for the time being. they were turning into one big dread because i couldn't give them enough care whilst trying to be full on with robin too. i will have them again in future years - hopefully we can sit with a cup of tea, being old, grey and dreaded together!!
Posted by: bea | May 23, 2005 at 08:22 PM
and they DO suit you! I hope you will wear them when you are 80 as well.
Posted by: maggi | May 24, 2005 at 08:14 AM
I have to say when I first saw your picture I was like, "Woah...that's crazy," but as I read the article that accompanied it, I became teary-eyed. What a beautiful, beautiful story. I find myself wishing I could know you...you just seem so beautifully yourself, something I need to learn how to be in my own life. Thank you for your inspiration.
Posted by: Donia | May 25, 2005 at 05:36 PM