Tag: Locs

flourish

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one-lined poem 3 parts

© 2024 Ájá’s Growth. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

the time came to freshen up my locs, and
I am blessed by hands that wash and
weave magic into my hair.

Ájá’s growth momentarily stunts my beliefs–she is
captivating me at every turn; it’s hard to
digest she was born in December of 2022.

hair care is important to me–to my journey, and I
welcome every strand that twists, coils, and binds
to my head; together, we’re flourishing.

Aja’s So Fresh and So Clean

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Yesterday, I spent about 6 hours and 30 minutes at my cousin’s place getting my hair washed, and then, retwisted. The last time I had it done was Saturday, August 18, 2023, so it was well overdue. But allowing that much time before a retwist/retie afforded me a ton of new growth, so my locs also have a good length to them and bounce & body.

I am still so thrilled with this journey! My cousin will do my hair for me one more time (which will probably be in mid to late January of 2024), and I will transition to her loctician who will take over regarding the care of my hair. December 10, 2023, will be my one-year anniversary of having locs and I am VERY excited about that upcoming date!

I am a bit anxious about the transition from my cousin to her loctician, but my cousin gave me her word, “I will do your hair for one year and then hand you off to my loctician.” And, she has kept it. I’ll get one more sitting with her and then move forward. I do not know her loctician–we have never met. But if my cousin trusts her enough with her hair (and it’s gorgeous), I will lend her my mane to take care of as well. I am sure Aja will be in good hands.

And now, for a few pictures:

Aja, just after I took her out of the protective style she was in to prepare to get her washed. I love my locs! Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Nothing feels as good as a clean head of hair. LOL! Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Aja has a little hangtime now. My hair has gotten longer and thicker over these last 11 months and I am so happy with this journey! Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
A glimpse of the side-back and a view of how long my hair has gotten! Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
And finally, a full look at the back. Aja’s so fresh & so clean again. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

Now that my hair is back to a place of freshness and is clean, I can focus on giving The Little Monster a haircut and a bath later today. Be on the lookout for photos of her tomorrow.

Many of you may ask, how I feel about my locs journey now that I am nearing its one-year anniversary, and to that, I will say: I do not think I can pinpoint a time in which I’ve been happier with and about my hair, and I am so excited with every new turn that comes along with it. I stand back and look at myself in actual wonder . . . this is my hair and it’s doing something miraculously inexplicable.

And I get to age with it and grow with it, too.

That is the most beautiful thing. It truly is.

The Transition to Microlocs and My Hair Journey in Phases

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Phase IV: I marvel at the length, and I am in love with every strand

Interlocked and cornrowed again. Photo Collage Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

I continue to be amazed by this journey. The path is curvy with twists and turns, and on some days, I am unsure where we (Ájá & I) are headed, but I am glad we are on our way.

My last wash and interlocking session was on March 11, 2023. My hair was out and free to grow and lock and become a force of beauty and strength. And it did exactly that.

On Sunday, May 07, 2023, my cousin had the tedious task of washing, re-sectioning, and interlocking my hair. I am no stranger to these methods now; I am a soldier on a familiar battleground, and the war is almost at its end.

Just under two months after my last wash and interlocking session, I am greeted by more length and a fuller head of hair.

There is peace in the calming hands of another

My cousin does an incredible job with my hair. When she washes it, my soul is moved. I can feel the cleansing process while it’s taking place, and my mind is at ease. She scratches it in sections and pays attention to the dryer spots.

She is like a surgeon — the way she dances around my head with her fingers; plotting the best ways to relieve itching. My hair always feels ten times cleaner and lighter after her hands have massaged my head.

She is thorough yet gentle with just the right amount of force to push away dirt and dandruff buildup. It’s fascinating — the washing process. I am not only in an impeccably relaxed state, but I am also overcome with serenity and joy.

When my hair is clean, I know the next steps are to interlock each section and pull any new growth into its rightful places for continued growth and locking.

With every session, my anticipation heightens

Growth and thickness. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

During every interlocking session, my anxiety builds. I am anxious to see the outcome. However, there is also an intense amount of patience — knowing that this process provides added length and replenishes the hair as well.

I wish I had the words to describe how I feel walking around with an ever-changing head of hair. I do not.

We started this process as microlocs, but my hair has loc’d in a way that is clearly its own. My locs will probably be bigger than microlocs or even sisterlocks, and I am all right with this.

Whatever Ájá wants to do, I am on board with it! This transition is one I signed up for and perfection was not in the cards.

I want to see what the end of the year will bring when we make it to a full year of interlocking and patiently waiting.

I want to know what December 2023 Ájá will look like. And I know with my cousin’s hands creating, washing, and maintaining my crown of glory, the sight will be one to see.

I marvel at the length, and I am in love with every strand

My hair is growing. It flows on its own and lands just above the nape of my neck. There are sections that are longer than others, but this is to be expected, as I am also growing out a short haircut.

I stare at myself in the mirror. I gaze at my graying edges and perimeter, and I am wooed by these changes.

New nose ring (had the old stud switched out to the one). Graying all around. Locs doing what they want to. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

I am not the same woman. I am changing along with my hair, and every day brings a newer side to me which I am eager to embrace.

The Powers That Be promoted me at work. They have invited me to be a part of our Engagement Team. These novel happenings are keeping me sane and giving me hope for a brighter future.

There is still a deep pain from the loss of my beloved cousin early last year, but I am moving along on a happier note.

I no longer carry grief in my pockets. I hold her memory close to my heart, sit in my favorite chair, and twist my hair because of a new habit.

And with each twisted strand, I think of Chrissy, and I wonder if she’s enjoying this journey with me, too.

I am happy with Ájá’s growth. I admire the length of my hair, and I long to see how long it will get before I become tired of it being too long.

I don’t foresee this happening. I have happily embraced every phase so far. I am positive this will continue.

December 11, 2023, will be one full year

At the end of this year, I will share where my hair journey has taken me.

One year of growing locs and maintaining them is steadily approaching. I am patient as I mark each day off on my calendar.

I have a few pieces of hair that have already locked and my heart flutters at the sight of them.

I am on my way to loving a full head of dreadlocks, and my soul can do nothing but smile.

Transitioning hair is a topic I love to discuss now. There will be more to come.

Part I, Part II, and Phase III

Originally published in An Injustice via Medium.