Quarantine allowed us to take some time off from worrying about our appearances. However, to some people, it was a daunting task. Many even decided to protest the quarantine rules and demanded that salons open again, prompting a heated debate with those who prefer safety over haircuts. The only good thing that came out of this argument is that many people started to understand the value of such workers as hairdressers, nail technicians, masseurs, waiters, and so many others.

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Recently, a letter written by “a grateful customer” who thanked a hairdresser for the way she treated his wife during a haircut went viral

Let’s face it—way too often, people of these trades not only provide us services, but they also give us much-needed human contact. To some, chatting with a hairdresser is the only time they get to have an honest conversation with someone. So if someone says that a hairdresser or a nail technician has changed their lives, you’d better believe them.

Image credits: Sara Verkuilen

Recently, a heart-wrenching letter began circulating around the internet that proves how valuable hairdressers are. It was written the hairstylist from Illinois, Sara Verkuilen, its content has left many people online teary-eyed.

“June 27, 2020

Dear Sara,

This is a little bit awkward. But I’ve waited a really long time to pass this on to you.

My wife and I came in for haircuts shortly before Christmas of last year.

My wife was suffering from dementia, and you treated her as if you’d been working with dementia patients all your life. You let us sit next to each other, and when it came time for her cut you turned her chair towards me so I could watch her expression as you cut her hair.

It turned out even better than I thought it would.

Sadly, she died in March. And that haircut was one of the last, best moments of her life. She felt no pretty. She visited the mirror in her bathroom several times during the day and would come out beaming.

To see her so happy was priceless.

Looking back, it was likely one of dozens of haircuts you gave that day. But one which revitalized a woman’s sense of self and her singular beauty. I hope you always realize the power of your profession.

It’s so easy to take things like that for granted.

Sincerely,

A grateful customer”

The letter was written by a man who decided to express gratitude to his late wife’s hairdresser and explain what impact she had on the now-deceased woman’s life. “I  cried when I recieved the letter, like mostly everyone else has. I had been struggling with my career, feeling uninspired so recieving that letter reminded me why I do what I do,” Sara told Bored Panda.

As it turns out, the man’s wife was living with dementia at the time she and her husband visited Sara. “I have no experience with dementia whatsoever. I just try to treat everyone that sits in my chair with basic human respect. My advice for other stylists would be to just treat them as you would any other client. Sometimes things take a little longer and it’s tough in our career because time is money but hairstylists are a special breed of people. We often do it for the passion more than the money,” she said.

The husband expressed admiration for the respect and care Sara showed during their visit and began to explain that the haircut she provided “has revitalized a woman’s sense of self and her singular beauty.”

Image credits: Sara Verkuilen

The couple has left a fond memory in Sara’s mind. “I remember just how sweet they were together. He was a very loving doting husband. They were adorable.”

The hairstylist said that she wished she had any contact information of the man so she could thank him for his kind words and express her condolences, sadly the man didn’t even leave his name.

The letter was a much-needed comfort during the tough time both for Sara and many other people who are struggling. “I was out of work due to covid for a few months and the company I work for went bankrupt and almost closed my salon forever so it was a wild rollercoaster of emotions. Luckily I had a family friend take me into her salon for a few weeks until my salon opened back up. I was also able to get unemployment before that,” she said. However,  the woman tries to try positive.  “Overall it hasn’t had too much of a negative effect on my life thus far.”

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