No Shave November to Locks of Love

All, 

When I think about the distinguishing characteristics of Ian, what I remember most there are the intangibles: his empathy, sensitivity, humor, love, persistence, bullheadedness and the like. I miss these everyday. Just to have another conversation with Ian - he made you feel as if you were the center of the world. His focus and attention exuded these concern and these intangibles always just connected you with him. But I also remember physical characteristics of Ian - the giggle which said he was coming, the smile which greeted you (this seemed to always inhabit his face), floppy hair as he bounced toward you, broad shoulders and big chest where you would rest as he embraced you in powerful arms, then you would remember the beard that scratched your face or mingled with your hair. 

Ian,

Each November, I am reminded of your beard - from the scraggly thing it was in Jr High and early High School to the full beard that made all your friends jealous. A friend at work was growing out his beard with his college-aged son this November. What a great thing to do - what a pang of sadness shot through me as I remembered the November’s we shared. I could grow a beard. It was scraggily, reddish, curly and a mess. The mustache stayed, then the goatee joined. Each kept short to easily maintain. Danny is growing out his beard. It is dark, patchy and looks great as a three day stubble look. We both struggle with thin hair and we need to keep our facial hair strategies simple. 

You did not take after Danny or I! You inherited Poppa Gene’s thick and wavy hair on one side and your Mom’s curly thick hair on the other. The reddish tinge came once again came from both sides. So, growing a mop of hair was easy for you. Extending this to your face was natural. For Five years, you varied from the three day stubble look to the full beard.  

Your beard growing superpower created the illusion of “age”. You looked like a college kid while a freshman or sophomore in High School! Women came into Starbucks and hit on you not knowing you were “jailbait” (and Amy would inform the ladies of their misunderstanding!). 

You also explored the creativity of the beard - stubble for prom, 70’s porn star look for kicks, etc. At A&M, you started with stubble that soon grew to a full “mountain-man beard” - and even when you shaved it off, it seemed to reappear over night. No Shave November was the time you regularly launched into the full beard experience. Yes, I was jealous; of course I was proud. Mom, Danny, Caylea and your friends each must have different stories, memories, and thoughts about your “growth period” each November.

Your beardedness seemed to inspire you to explore the next phase of creativity - growing out your head of hair. You moved between short and medium lengths of hair at home. 

But you became inspired at A&M to grow your hair long, real long - but for a great cause: donation to Locks of Love. That a guy would grow out 6 inches of hair to donate is not very common - I would guess. But that was your goal. Fits with your intangibles so well...

Your accident precluded your donation. We asked and were told it was impossible to have your hair to donate. Enough said. That was very hard to hear. But your friends and family stepped up and multiplied the gift in your place, from Jacob to Nancy Talbot, your peers, moms, sisters, etc. gave their hair to bless those suffering from the effects of chemotherapy. On the eve of your celebration, Aunt Megan cut hair till she was sore and exhausted - so many of your friends wanted to donate - each following your example. 

Your intangibles rubbed off. You inspired sacrifice, giving and love to those who the donors would never see. Mom and Caylea gave. Danny and I could not - we lacked your follicular superpower. All told 20+ donations were made in your place. What started with No Shave November multiplied to blessings for lots of little girls suffering from cancer through Locks of Love.

We never know how our intangibles fit best with our physicality. We never know how our giving multiples into grater blessings. It sometimes is surprising. Truly the Locks of Love experienced fulfilled this promise in God’s Word:

     You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us 
     your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11

Your love, care, concert and sacrifice (maybe a bit of pride in your hair growth superpower!), was expressed in hair donations and blessings to those in need of physical needs. 

As I reflect on your attitude and these events, I am reminded of our Savior’s words, why He came, what He was to do:

     For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom 
     for many.” Mark 10:45

You were no Jesus, but you did choose to walk in your Savior’s footsteps. Thank you for your example Ian - not putting boundaries on your love, but being willing to express love through whatever means available to those in need. It is an inspiration and encouragement to follow. 

I love you. I miss you,

Dad