I've decided to share this story which emphasises the warm and kind heart of the Salon employees and Linda the owner. What a special experience we had:
#shaking_Up_The_Equation
Something felt wrong. I was peddling back from Chevy Chase when I decided to change route and head towards Georgetown. Riding uphill I noticed a homeless man laying between the trees on his cardboard mattress. I offered him my food and he gratefully took the snacks I had. I bid him fair well and went on my way worried about my approaching flight back to Boston. Yet something once again felt wrong. I had to ask him something else. I turned back.
Inspired by Nick the Cookie Foster (see first comment) I asked him.
"If your wish could come true, what would it be?"
"To start a new life in NYC and have a goddam haircut!" He responded with a big smile.
I decided to check bus prices when I noticed that my flight with Spirit Airlines had been delayed by 1.5 hours..."Well Raymond. What would you prefer, NYC or a haircut?"
"HAIRCUT!" He shouted.
"Well put your shoes on, you're getting one!"
We walked for 20 minutes, suited pedestrians trying to understand what we were up to smiling together like longtime buddies. There was great sense of right doing, of honesty, of appreciation.
In my head I was planning the different scenarios we'd face by at the barber shop. I'm unemployed without much funds for a downtown haircut yet I wasn't gonna let Raymond down.
We entered a barber shop and I immediately asked to speak to the boss outside. I didn't want to embarrass Raymond by talking about him in his presence. To my extreme surprise the boss declined my request for a discount and actually demanded that even if I pay the full cost, I'd have to stay with him to supervise. Upset and disappointed we left.
Raymond led the way to the next barber. 2 years of no haircuts had him aware of the barbers around town. We entered Balayage Salón & Spa with a smile which was immediately reciprocated. I explained the situation to the lovely ladies at the reception whilst Linda the owner listened carefully.
"I will happily give you a haircut Raymond!" She said. "You want a shave as well, you got it. Anytime!"
I felt like I was floating. A positive rush of energy blitzed through the salon. Everyone was smiling, it was contagious. And Raymond..? Well he was ecstatic! "Anytime!" He repeated. "A haircut anytime!"
With an hour an a half until his appointment, we went to McDonalds to get him some food. We hugged for a while as I parted. He was so happy for himself. I was so happy for him, yet once again that feeling. Mission incomplete...
I walked to get my bike and decided. If Raymond wants to go to NYC, he will get a ticket.
I entered the salon, everyone was talking about Raymond's upcoming haircut. I approached Linda and handed her money. I instructed her that after the haircut, if Raymond wants to go to NYC, she should buy him a ticket, print it out and bid him a farewell from us all. If he doesn't, it's hers.
That night I got a call from Balayage Salón & Spa last night. "Unfortunately Raymond didn't come back for the haircut. I'm sorry Yonatan."
Despite my disappointment I was happy. I couldn't blame him. I gave my 100% and that in itself felt amazing. The rest was up to him.
Around 18:00 the next day I got a call from the salon once again (by now we are all besties). "Raymond is a new man! He came back this morning with a enormous smile... we shampoo'd his hair, got the bats out of his beard and prepped him up for his new life."
"What do you mean new life?" I asked still shocked that he actually came back on his own.
"He asked for the bus ticket! He's going tomorrow morning, 09:15 from union station!!!... he literally shouted in the salon "I'm going to New York, I'm going to New York!" Blown away I hung up the phone.
Thinking about my emotional response to this news, I believe I felt like Nick the Cookie Foster did. So so proud to be able to give such hope to someone in need and that my actions evoked others to join in.
I wish I could bid Raymond the best goodbye ever tomorrow morning. Hopefully there will be someone in New York to welcome him to an easier start.
Can't wait to visit the salon shortly. read more