See this beautiful 4 year old girl? Her name is Mackenzie and I am lucky enough to be her mother. Kenzie has one of the biggest and most giving hearts I have ever seen on a child. She will gladly give anything to anyone, share her toys, her food, a smile, a conversation. Five minutes in her presence and you feel happier. But yesterday, my little girl did something that surprised even me.
Two years ago, my mother and I participated in our first Buzz-Off for Kids Cancer. We both shaved our heads and raised funds for One Mission and Boston Children's Hospital's oncology programs. My daughter was 2 at the time and thought it was awesome. She loved the way it looked and felt and said she wanted to do it. It was one of the best things I have ever done. We were met with mixed reactions. There were a lot of positive reactions, a lot of support from family and friends and even strangers, but then there were the stares and the people who were completely appalled and the women who said they could never shave their heads. For me, it was easy. It is just hair. I have lost so many family members to cancer and this is my way of giving back. And I loved being bald!
In October of 2014, my mom and I were asked to do the commercial for this year's Buzz-Off. We jumped at the chance to support this great cause again. The crew at the shoot said we looked way too happy to be shaving our heads. The stares started again and I actually confronted a woman in a store telling her, yes, we are bald and we shaved our heads for kids with cancer. That shut her up!
There was no question that we would be buzzing again this year. I couldn't wait to participate again. The closer the day got, the more excited we all got. All of my friends and family knew the big day was coming, my daughter was excited about the event, which takes place at Gillette Stadium.
Sunday morning came and I woke up to find my daughter had cut all her hair off! She had dragged a kitchen chair to the counter and found the kitchen shears. Her reason? Because she wanted to be bald like mommy was going to be. After I got over being thoroughly pissed, I knew why she had done it. She had always talked about shaving her head for kids with cancer. My little girl has a huge, giving heart. She loves to donate her old clothes and toys, she always wants to give money when someone is collecting outside a store and she really understood why we do this.
When we got to the stadium, we registered her for the event. I told her that she didn't have to do it, we would find a way to fix her hair, but she was determined. When it was our turn, she climbed up in that chair between my mom and I, held our hands and smiled as they shaved the rest of her hair off her head. I have never been so proud of my little girl. She was always beautiful, but when I look at her now, with no hair, she is simply stunning.
If you ask her why she did it, she'll tell you for kids with cancer and because she has a big heart full of love. And that is true. My 4 year old daughter Mackenzie is a hero to me. There was no fear, no hesitation in doing something most women would never dream of doing. And I have no doubt that she would do it again. I am proud of my girl and I will never forget that moment as long as I live.
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