Locks of Love - Katherine Short

It amazes us how many children were touched by Joanna’s story and how few have forgotten.  They listened intently as parents talked about Joanna and how sick she was. They listened as parents explained why she lost her hair and how hard Joanna fought.  They cried as parents explained that Joanna had gone to heaven.   We hear from parents all the time who tell us their kids haven’t forgotten. Kids still talk about Joanna and pray for all of us. 

Katherine Short was one of those kids who hasn’t forgotten.  She listened as her parents Paige and Shane talked about Joanna and it bothered Katherine that Joanna had lost her hair so Katherine wanted Joanna to have hers. Thank you Paige and Shane for sharing this wonderful story.  Thank you Katherine for donating your hair to Locks of Love in memory of Joanna.  We are so proud of you and Joanna is smiling down from heaven about what you’ve done!

My name is Katherine Mackenzie Short and I am five years old. 

Right now I live in Tampa, Florida in the Westchase neighborhood.  I have one brother, Landry, who is two and most of the time he is sweet. My mommy's name is Paige and my daddy's name is Shane and they are sweet to me all the time.

The reason you are reading this is because my life crossed the path of another little girl named Joanna. This little girl was the niece of some of my parents' best friends, Tom and Gynger, when they lived in Americus, Georgia.  I didn't really know Joanna, but I did go to the beach with her once when she was about three. I was only five months old so I really don't remember much about it.  My mommy says that they used to live in my very neighborhood here, before we moved here.  I know we would have been very good friends and would have been able to play together.  

My mommy told me that Joanna was a very sick little girl and we would always check on the computer to see how she was doing. I remember that I was wondering what had happened to all of her hair and my mommy told me that it sometimes happens to people when they get really sick and have to take certain kinds of medicines.   She told me that it would grow back, it would just take a little while. 

That is when I just thought that I had a perfect idea!   Since my hair was long, I would just cut it off and she could have it. Well, my mommy said that it just wasn't that easy, but that she would see what we could do about that.  

That is when we found out all about Locks of Love.   Anybody can do it.  The lady at the beauty shop told me that my hair wasn't quite long enough.  It had to grow to at least ten inches, so I would have to grow it longer.  Well, it grew, and it grew, and it grew until finally after nine months it was at least ten inches and I still had hair to my shoulders.  My mommy said that it was time to get it cut. I was so excited. 

Unfortunately, my hair won't help Joanna because she went up to heaven last December.  That was very, very sad. I know that lots of people will miss her, but I bet she is having lots of fun up there.  I am glad that my hair will at least help some other little kid and I'll bet Joanna was watching and knows all about the whole thing.  

It was a whole family adventure when I went to the beauty parlor and my parents say that they are very proud of me for sharing my hair. I really like my new haircut, but if I decide to let it keep growing, I will definitely let it grow ten more inches!  

So, if you are reading this and you know of any little kids with long hair, maybe you can tell them about Joanna and they will decide to do the same thing.  Keep it growing! 

Love, Katherine