IT'S OK .. YOU ARE OK

After all the years of having alopecia, its only been the last few years that the emotional scars that I have, have begun to fade.  No longer do I feel restricted or ashamed of having alopecia. Yes the scars will always remain but fading they are. From all the years that I hid having alopecia; from the shame and embarrassment, the lack of feeling "normal" or even "beautiful" and feeling totally alone. Of doing the rollar coaster ride of having hair to not to having any yet again to little gone to alot gone. Im finally happy. I dont disillusion myself thinking bad days wont come, I recognize it and acknowledge it and know that it will pass.  As I have experienced yet again just this past weekend.  I have gotten use to the stares and gawking, and for the most part I have learned to ignore them.  But this particular day was rougher, and to top it off while coming to a red light a man in the car beside me decided to yell out while pointing to me "BALDY".  Something I haven't been called since I was a kid and my wig was being ripped off in the halls of school.  BOOM I was that kid again, and in shock I continued on my way, with tears in my eyes.  It took a couple of days to find myself again, to center my being and let those old feelings go.  Bad days come and bad days go.  I accept that and I accept that I can't control what others will do and say.  But I can control how I process my reactions. 
If I can share one element truth with you all it would be that ....
YOU ARE OK. ITS OK.
It's ok to have a bad day,  they can't all be good.  It's ok to lose control every once in awhile.  We can't control everything.  Learning to let go is healthy too.  It's ok to let your guard down and let people in, telling them that you have alopecia. Yes you might get slapped back by an ignorant comment. But know this aswell, those that make those comments are insecure themselves and have nothing better to say, or they dont have the knowledge of alopecia. Because your friends and family will always be there, you can lean on them during these moments and give yourself strength to ignore the ignorant. Its ok. and you are ok for it.
I can say all the "cliches" like you are still beautiful, you are still fabulous, you are more than your hair and you are strong.. Which is all very much true. The real truth is that ITS OK. Its ok that you have alopecia, because you will be ok. It is true. No matter which path you choose to take on your journey thru this. Whether you go quietly along in life living with alopecia, or campaign for awareness and support or fight tooth and nail for a cure. You will still be OK.