A couple weeks ago we were praying for a little friend of ours, Cooper, who has been diagnosed with leukemia. Out of the blue Hope said that she wanted to do something. At eight-years-old you are a little powerless. And let’s face it, at thirty-five you can be a little powerless too.
Especially over something as ugly as cancer.
Donating her hair won’t kill the disease. And it won’t even directly benefit our four-year-old friend, Cooper. But she wanted to do something that counted. Something charitable. Something altruistic.
And for that I am so proud of her.
I want to be like her. I want to do things that count in the Kingdom, selfless, unfettered things. I want to live inside of charity and get nothing in return for my actions.
That’s my ideal life, at least. And I feel so far from it.
So, here’s Hope.
{Oh, and a glimpse of me in foils.}
What inspires YOU to do things that “count?”
This is not one of my fear videos. I’m working on my first one but the thing I was going to do got, well, halted. And it was out of my control. I’m still working on it. So, I’m still tackling fear head on, but this particular uber-scary thing might have to wait a few weeks. I’ll keep you posted.
Awww, what a sweetie! (And, wow, she had a lot of hair!)
That is just awesome! Your daughter is one special girl!!
I would just have to say….God. That He is he only thing good in me and when I do something that counts it is really all because of Him. Sounds ‘Christian talk’ I know but it really is true.
My cousin’s wife had breast cancer and lost all her hair. She was given a wig made from locks-of-love hair. Her three young children were afraid when they saw mommy losing all her hair in splotches and once she had the wig on, she could go about her life without people staring and knowing she was sick….gave her a sense of normality in the midst of all the sickness. What Hope did was more than just an act of charity, it means so much to those who receive that wig – it’s not about beauty or vanity but about looking “normal” when you don’t always feel it. She passed away from her sickness a couple years ago but I am grateful that people like your Hope gave her the chance to have one little area of her life made better for awhile.
Your daughter is absolutely adorably precious!! What a sweet, sensitive spirit she has!! She is an inspiration!
That is so wonderful what Hope did. My daughter (10) had her hair cut off and donated to Locks of Love two nights ago. She was so excited and proud to know that what she was doing was going to help someone.
This is so amazing and awesome. I love her heart when she says ” I don’t wanna turn back!”. What an inspiration to us and encouragement to have that kind of faith. Love it!
You know you’re doing something right when your kid does something like this all of their own volition. Good job, mom and dad!
Hope, thank you so much for your kindness and sacrifice. As a breast cancer survivor who lost her long hair (hair that was super long for 40 years!!), I loved being able to get a wig that made me feel like me. However, I’ve learned so much about freedom with my new short, curly hair!! God likes to see us stretched and out of our “comfort zones.” Thank you for being willing to be used!!
Good for her! I donated my hair after my wedding, because it was so long. I have an appointment in a few weeks to donate it again & I am getting nervous because I know it will be way shorter then I hoped. This makes me not want to cancle – it goes to those who really need it. Thanks for the inspiration little girl
Way to go Hope! I have donated a few times and am about to do it one last time. You remind me of my daughter, who is 7. Yesterday she wanted to donate some of her money to a Christian radio station who was having a fund-raiser. She loves the station and the songs it plays so much that she was willing to give up her money (she doesn’t have very much). While this donation doesn’t directly help someone who is sick, like you did, it does help indirectly. This station and its music helped my daughter when she had to have a second surgery at a very young age. She requested to have the “Jesus Station” on when she woke up. She’s also heard stories of how the music has helped change lives and she wants to make sure they are able to stay on the air and continue to do that for others.
Both of you young ladies have amazing hearts – may you always keep Jesus’ love in your hearts and be examples for those around you.
i love that.when their little hearts are so full that they have to do something about it. =)
Thank you Sarah and Hope for encouraging us to do things that count. Selfless things! You’ve inspired me today, and the God who loves you so very much!
Wow. And backwards – wow! What a sweet sweet heart! She reminds me of my son. Who reminds me that pleasing God is first. In the big & small. Always.
BEAUTIFUL!!!!! My oldest sister died when she was 10 from Leukimia. I dont believe they had Locks for love back in the 70′s, but if they did I know she would have benefited from something like that.
My daughter Montana Rose has also donated hair for Locks and even though as I mother I loved brushing her long hair and cried when it was cut, it melted my heart to know she wanted to help someone else.
I know you are proud! She is beautiful inside and out.
(Oh and my daugher who lives and breathes horses wants to know where Hope got her horsey shirt she was wearing after he shower)
~Sarah~
Dear Hope-My mommy let me watch your video 3 times! I really really liked it. And I am going to watch it again. I have a little brother named Cooper too but he is 20 months. Thank you for being kind and brave and showing other kids that we can be kind and brave too. Love, Boston (4 years old)
Thank you Boston. I am going to let hope read all of the comments today when she gets home from school. she will be so happy!! =)
I love it! I absolutely love how she just laughed through the entire thing and enjoyed it! And the line, “I don’t wanna turn back!” is so great.
Yay Hope.
That’s awesome! Brought tears to my eyes. I hope my kids grow up with such a generous spirit!
I often feel misunderstood. Maybe that’s a legitimate concern, or maybe it’s all in my head. But either way, it’s what inspires me. It’s so important to me to be “relatable” to people. I want to share myself and my experiences with people and make them feel less alone, less understood. I don’t think anyone should ever feel alone in their struggles, because even if I can’t fix their problem, I can at least support them by being there.
you are raising such beautiful, caring girls! you should be proud of them and yourself!
Sarah,
You are Hope. To so many of us, your words are hope. And your daughter is an extension of you and your heart for Him.
Loved that you shared this with us. Thank you!
Melissa
oh my goodness. I just watched the video and sitting at work trying not to cry!! I have a HUGE lump in my throat and really shiny eyes.
That was incredible Sarah.
Hope’s heart is so pure and sweet…even in the way she laughs and talks about what she is doing. It was so neat that your whole family was there for the experience, supporting her decision. Hearing you, and Chad, and Naomi in the background was beautiful.
I could watch this over and over again!
Thanks for documenting such a special experience and for blessing all of us with it!
So proud of you, Miss Hope!!!!
i fear dreaming.
i fear my empty nest future.
i fear the possibility of having no purpose, no future.
i need to go sky diving (i know that was random).
the thought of it is terrifying and exciting.
i long to feel the jumping, flying, and being caught.
“what if you jump, just close your eyes, what if the arms that catch you catch you by surprise.”
what if i dream, what if hope, what if i believe i could still be used for his Big glory. what if he catches me and we soar into my future together.
can we go skydiving together??
Very inspirational! Way to go Hope! You will give Hope to someone out there… maybe a cute little girl!
What an inspiration! I loved how she had so much joy in doing it. She is a blessing!
i lost my mom to cancer when I was 10 years old.
i can remember her wearing a wig made from hair that someone had donated. I can also remember her telling me how very special it was.
when I was 15 i shaved my head to raise money for cancer. it was so amazing to be a part of something that seems so huge. to bring a little hope….
dear sweet hope,
you are beautiful. and inspiring. your hair is going to make someone feel so special and loved. jesus is so very proud of you. it makes his heart smile to see you love the way you too. you are a very special girl! thanks for showing us all how to be like jesus!
bless you sweet girl!
Sarah, what a precious video and what a precious, precious little girl!! And what a wonderful mother you are to teach her about giving and what REAL beauty truly is!! Blessings to you as you write and video and live for Him! Cate
wow, this is precious!!! I love Hope’s giggles, the joy and excitement in her face at what she’s doing and why. And I LOVE her confident “mom, i don’t WANT to turn back” reply to you. What a heart. Thanks for sharing.
That video is awesome
And Hope is the spittin image of you. I love in the very first clip of the video the way she looks away from the camera and off to her left – You should post that side by side with one of your videos. Even the reflections in her voice was the same as yours 
You are raising a very special little girl! (two of them
)
She is awesome AND she looks and talks just like you- too cute!
What a great video of your very courageous daughter! And how smart of you to take the video! My daughter also did this several years ago right after she graduated from high school. It is quite the moment to watch as they cut off the braid! I am now growing mine so that I can do the same. I have always wanted to do this and decided that it was time to get busy so at shoulder length now I have a long way to go before it is ready. Thank you so much for sharing this tender moment with us.
Just watched this…what an awesome picture of loving others more than yourself! Love that!
Ok, I know this is old but hey a comment due is a comment due
I donated my hair to locks of love several years ago. It was such a wonderful experience. How much more it was for Hope! I plan to donate my hair again one day…