Don’t try to get on my good side Truvy, I no longer have one.

 I am not as sweet as I used to be. 

 You are too twisted for color TV!

 My secrets out, I am having an affair with a Mercedes Benz. 

 Annelle, take your Bible and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine!

I tell people that I grew up in my very own “Steel Magnolias” beauty shop. My Mom has been a cosmetologist for over 55 years!  I learned all my growing up lessons in my Mom’s beauty shop. I learned to tie my shoes as my mom was rolling up a perm on Mrs. Mcdonald. I practiced writing cursive with Ms. Margaret sitting under the dryer, she was a Second Grade Teacher in our town. I learned about the power of the Holy Spirit from Sister Newberry and her weekly 1:00 appointment. I learned the importance to always say “yes Ma’am” as Mom was teasing Mrs. Midkiff. I learned about death as Mom was called to the local funeral home to make hair beautiful one last time.  I learned the gift of friendship from Jodi and all the Amazing women Mom has shared a beauty shop with. There is not enough paper for me to list all the lessons and gifts my very own steel magnolias taught me.

So many different personalities meet in a beauty shop. Having good hair is something all Women bond Over. I laugh as I write this. Who would not love to have a weekly hair appointment with the Dolly’s of the hair world.  That magnetic personality and larger than life attitude. My mom has worked with the Dolly’s and Annelle’s. My Mom is not Dolly. My mom is not everyone’s favorite, M’Lynn. My Mom is Ouiser.

She is sharp with her comebacks. Loud and quick to give her opinions. Unapologetic the time she told a customer to not let the door hit you as the customer ran out with a towel wrapped around her head. I am still laughing as I am remembering this moment and many others. Why would anyone want “Ouiser” to be their hair dresser? A Lot of Women Do! My mom has customers as long as I am old. That is 45 years!!

Decades and Decades of Bonds. Bonds of Laugher. Bonds of tears. Bonds of Loyalty. Bonds of secrets.  Bonds of Trust. Trust isn’t just a character trait or value, Trust is a person, MY MAMA!  

She said to trust that when you go to work when you say you will and stay at work till all the work is completed, customers will come. Mama said trust that customers always know a quality tease and will keep coming back. This quality tease is why Brian still today tells that his Mother in law does Jack it to Jesus hair.  Mom said always trust people notice and appreciate you keeping the hair swept out from under the beauty chair. People trust that the coffee pot is always hot and ready for a cup to be poured. Trust that what people say in the beauty chair STAYS in the beauty chair.  

Customers for over 55 years kept coming back because they know my Mama is trustworthy. They trusted that she came to work every day. They trusted that she would listen and have something to say, no matter how sharp, to whatever was going on in their lives. They trusted she would laugh and engage and use the towel on the back of her chair to wipe their tears.  They trusted that Mama would be there week after week.  

Mama always said she would probably die behind her beauty chair. 2020 brought an unexpected gift. Mama made the decision to retire. I really wanted to give Mama a big and beautiful retirement party. In true Mama fashion, she was quick and sharp to tell me NO!!! and ended her NO with Heather Ann, I’m the Mama!! 

So, this is the best way I know to say, thank you!! Thank you, Mama for showing me what trust looks like. Thank you, Mama for living Jesus out in the flesh. Thank you for having a job that I could be right beside you. Thank you for surrounding me with the most amazing women and men. Thank you for being exactly who Christ designed you to be! My Mama!! Happy Retirement!! JOB WELL DONE!!!!!