Monday, May 18, 2015

At the Hairdresser

At my hairdresser last week, I met a very interesting older lady who was also having her hair done.  I was talking to the hairdresser about this couple who delivered their baby in an airplane on the way to Japan from Canada.  To make it even more interesting, the woman had no idea she was pregnant!

Anyway, this older lady started telling us snippets from her life.  It seems her sister decided to have a baby at 42 using artificial insemination.  The sister is very educated and career-minded and was never able to find the perfect partner.  However she badly wanted a child of her own and explored all her options including adoption.  She had 3 failed artifical insemination attempts which resulted in miscarriage.  Then the doctor died of an aneurysm.  She found another doctor.  The nurse there told her she had a choice of 2 sperm donors.  One of them was a short man with curly hair, married with his own children.  He had very fertile sperm and had artificially inseminated many women.  The other sperm donor was a tall,blonde,young,handsome Scandinavian studying for his Phd.  She chose the Scandinavian because she didn't want her unborn child having so many unknown cousins in the world.  The sister successfully gave birth by Cesarian section to a baby girl.  She was so overjoyed at the miracle that she actually became religious.

I found this lady so interesting to talk to.  She went on to say that she met and married her husband in 10 days much to her parents' distress.  However the marriage lasted until her husband passed way 5 years ago.  She has 2 sons and 2 grandsons who are a part of her life.  I realized she must be lonely, she had so much to say.   After her husband died she did a lot of exotic travelling as he never wanted to do that.  She went to Varanasi, India with a girlfriend.  I asked her if she got sick, and yes she did, from some chicken she ate in a fabulous palace they visited.  Her girlfriend ate the vegetarian meal.  Regardless, she had a wonderful time.  She has even visited China where she didn't get sick, remarking that she ate only vegetables there.

At any rate, it was time for me to go and I bid her goodbye as we exchanged first names.  I thought she should honestly write a memoir.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

isn't amazing the stories we all have,, think we should all be vegetarians,

Valerie-Jael said...

Amazing stories, tht lady had really been around! Valerie

Nancy Chan said...

Hi Christine, I am sure when we started sharing, everyone of us has some pretty amazing stories to contribute. Someone should start a collection of these amazing stories.

Kay said...

Wow! She had a baby at 42. I'm glad I had my kids younger. I'd be too tired if I had a kid who was 23 right now.

Mark said...

I find people who have had a lot of life experiences are quite fascinating to talk to. Though it makes me wish I'd done more.

Plowing Through Life (Martha) said...

She sounds like an interesting person to talk to. Some people have fascinating stories to tell.

Anna of Mutton Style and Years said...

There are very interesting people around when one opens up and chats. On the other hand on my commute I often hear people who assume everyone should overhear their business and wants to. Those aren't at all interesting but think they are.

Anonymous said...

Very interesting woman. By the way, I would have done the same and chosen the blond Scandinavian man as my sperm donor. Lol.

Anonymous said...

Love hearing stories at the beauty shop. Years ago the salon I frequent was very busy with lots of clients. Over the years, ownership has changed, stylists have left, fewer customers in the salon. It has gotten rather boring there. I just sit while my hair is colored, cut, and styled rather than engaging in conversations like you had. I miss it.

Gloria Baker said...

Wow! amazing story Christine!
All I lost because never go to hairdresser lol

Lisabella Russo said...

I love how you talk to people that you meet. She does sound fascinating and I'm glad she shared some of her experiences with you.

They Come Along said...

Such a great story! Thanks for sharing.

Adam said...

I don't think she had a hard choice with the Scandinavian guy

stefanie stark said...

You had really a very exciting hair dressers appointment! And it's remarkable that you kept everything in mind what the old lady was telling and wrote it down. This story is phantastic! Many thanks for sharing! I'm looking forward to your next hairdressers visit!

Christine said...

thanks Lisa, perhaps we were 2 introverts, I noticed she had a book with her and was reading it. And of course I am very used to the hairdresser and his helper.

Christine said...

lol Gigi, me too.

Christine said...

I know what you mean Anna, the rudeness and shouting I can do without.

Christine said...

Mark you have plenty of life left to live.

The Happy Whisk said...

You run into so many interesting souls.

Jenn Jilks said...

What an interesting story! There are stories of kids searching for father-donors, many, many cousins, as you said!