In high school, I was voted "girl with the Most Beautiful Hair". I had natural blonde hair that I could sit on. While I still care very much about my hair and appearance, I have grown a little less obsessed with the title bestowed on me. My hair is now a darker blonde and my hairdresser blends in highlights that give me the illusion of being the natural blonde of my youth.
Hair is important to almost every woman I know. A friend was constantly asking (several times in an hour) for advice about her hair-of which she never followed. Finally I forbid her to talk to me about her hair. After an operation, I still remember my sister (still groggy) being rolled into her room asking "how does my hair look. The "good hair" days and the "bad hair" days can be a significant barometer of how the whole day will go.
Gary Gagnon styled & colored my hair for over 20 years. When I began to move out of the "long hair I can sit on" phase, I found Gary very soon. Since that time, I have only gone to one other person. I didn't like my hair so I came to Gary in tears and he fixed it. Over the years, we have gone from long to short, a few permanent curls and back to long. His ability has cheered me up when I needed it, elicited many compliments and prompted many referrals.
I often thought about the professional life of a hair dresser. I came when I looked my worst, he worked his magic, big smiles as I admired it, compliments and I thank him as I leave. I go out and enjoy myself and he never sees the difference it made. The only way he knows is when I come back again and again for those few hours. Over the 20 years I changed professions, followed him to four different salons, talked a lot about our favorite things and developed a quiet friendship that will be deeply missed.
He had faithful to him even longer than I. His shampoo assistant had worked with him for 29 years. She was the one that told me he had been missing for about 2 days when he didn't show up for work. His four dogs and 7 parrots (he rescues them) were left unattended, his home unlocked and ransacked & cars in the garage. While we imagined all possible explanations, we didn't want to believe the worst. I was just stunned. Four days later, they found his body. It is so hard to believe that anyone could do such a thing to someone who was so generous and kind. I attended his funeral Friday and it was packed with all of us whose lives he had touched in so many ways.
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I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Gary must have been a wonderful person, and the rescued animals will miss him too. It's so nice that you eulogized him amongst your friends here on Active Rain.
Cathy: I am so sorry. My heart goes out to you, and of course, to Gary's friends and family. I have had my hairdresser, Carol, for about nine years... and I love her dearly. I don't know what I'd do without her. Take care... gentle huggs to you, my dear.
Cathy, thinking about who Gary was and what he did on this planet while he ws here is contrasted by the beautiful cherry blossoms and yellow flowers on your blog - a fitting reminder of the beauty and joy he brought to all. I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers are with you and to Gary's family and friends.
Gee Cathy, I am soooooo sorry! I came here to say hello:( Did they find whomever did this? What a horrible thing. I can tell you are really taking this hard. There's not too much I can say, but you know my thoughts are always with you!
Cathy, What a terrible atrocity. I hope they find the perpertrator. My heart sends condolences to you & to all his family & friends who will surly miss his kind & gentle spirit. Ginger
How sad Cathy. I had not heard this, although I don't watch the local news very often. Regards to you and his family.
Michael: Thank you - I felt like I did not want him to just disappear without anything said - he will be missed - we take things so for granted.
Karen: Thank you - many of my friends have had several hair dressers - I have had only him - I will need to find someone in the next couple of months and it will be very hard.
Janice: The spring picture did cheer me up - many things in life are bitter sweet - but if being reminded can help me bring an awareness to my life not to take things for granted - this is good.
Karen: They have several people in custody - pictures of one person on ATM using his cards - he told them where to find the body - so that was good for everyone to have a proper funeral - things are still unravelling - thanks for stopping by and your kind thoughts!
Ginger: I follow the story a bit in the news - hoping that justice is served - although nothing will bring him back and he will be missed.
Missy: I head from his assistant but when I went to the office, my owner had heard about it on the news but didn't know he was the person who did my hair until I started talking about it - it was so sad!
Cathy: Watch out for the comment above me. It is a spam comment. I have seen perhaps ten of them tonight. Also... I suggest you NOT click on the link... since it is spam... and may lead to some virus or trojan horse. I suggest you DELETE the comment. Take care...
Karen: Thanks - I have been getting several of these over the past days on at least 4 other posts. I just report them and then delete and definitely don't click on the link - however didn't think it might be dangerous - just useless. Thanks for taking the time to point this out!