More Than a Haircut

Generosity to our most vulnerable

More Than a Haircut

I should have been there about one month earlier.  But, I guess in the total scheme of things, it didn’t really matter.  Anyway, I dragged my shaggy-self into my “local” on Main Street.  Stay Classic Barbershop.

It’s a place that has long impressed me, due to its eclectic clientele.  I’ve always known that everyone is welcome.  Even me!  It’s open sense of community is one of the two greatest things I love about it.  That’s why it is my “local.” 

As I was saying, as I walked in the other day I was greeted warmly, just before I signed in.  Then I took a seat for a short wait.

My next seat was in Chis Deherrera’s chair.  That’s when he began his artistry.  It’s also where I got to sit and watch other customers come in to receive service.  And, on this particular winter’s-day I was not disappointed by the kaleidoscopic view!

About the middle of my hair cut, an interesting phrase to be sure, since one could argue that due to my hair line, every one of my hair cuts begins in the middle, one of our community’s most vulnerable walked in with a smile.  He was well known by the whole staff, was an aged man, had a catheter bag hanging from his waist, wore tattered clothing and was fully welcomed upon his arrival.

He joyfully sashayed right to the first available chair.  His Barber wrapped a cape around his neck and front as he opened their conversation about the NFL, because he knew that this customer was an avid fan.  I listened as they exchanged information about the playoffs and their picks for the championship, all while his hair was trimmed to perfection.  Then, when his hair was fully styled, the cape was removed and bright thankyous were exchanged, I noticed one more, distinguishing thing.

On this occasion, for one of our community’s most vulnerable, his heartfelt thankyou was enough!

“Where are you going to watch the game?”  His Barber asked, as his friend walked away.

He didn’t know, but he felt confident that a way for him to watch would be opened.

I should have been there about one month earlier.  But, in the total scheme of things, it really mattered that I was there, on this day.  I dragged my shaggy-self into my local barbershop on Main Street.  Stay Classic.  And, when I left, I felt trimmed on the outside and warm on the inside!

It’s a place that has long impressed me, due to its eclectic clientele.  I’ve always known that everyone is welcome.  Even me!  It’s open sense of community is one of the two greatest things I love about it.  That’s why it is my “local.”  As I was saying, as I walked in the other day, I, along with everyone else who entered, was greeted warmly.

I took a seat for a short while.  And, my heart has stayed warm ever since leaving, because this place is much more than a local barbershop!  Stay Classic gives much more than a haircut.  It is the meaning of community.