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Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781546214236 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | AuthorHouse |
| Publication date: | 11/27/2017 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 178 |
| File size: | 4 MB |
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CHAPTER 1
THE MURDER
It all started while meeting my new 8th grade class mate at WILSON AVE. SCHOOL that had just moved to Newark, NJ from New Rochelle, NY. I just so happened to be going into the principal's office that day when he was being registered, we had stood next to each other and instantly connected NO WORDS were needed. Not realizing that we would be inseparable from then on.
We would constantly be together each and every day. During freshman year of 1984 at East Side high school in Newark, NJ at 1st Period in Phys. ED one day he had asked me, let's skip school and go into the city (NY) so we could hang out. At that time the path (NJTRANSIT) was only 50 cents to ride into the city (NY) and I usually had 5 dollars on me so I had my round trip fare, as well as my lunch money which consisted of a slice of pizza and a soda typical for a teenager. This was months before I started a part time job.
We made sure we could get back home before school let out, we didn't skip school every day however it was enough that I had to make up classes for the remaining last 2 years of high school.
By JR. year Fernando had quit started going to beauty school and working retail it was obvious he hated high school. On the flip side he was a very creative person, he loved and adored BOY GEORGE of CULTURE CLUB so much during that time, that he actually resembled him which afforded him to acquire many retail jobs because of his look, his outgoing personality as well as get into many clubs in NYC because of this (my mother would've killed me if she would had found out). When we would just be at his house hanging out we always would be blasting the music from his bedroom window, what a fun memory, from time to time I still go into our old neighborhood to stay gazing at his window where he lived just to remember how fun that was.
By 16 I had landed my first job at ZARO'S bakery in Penn Station. Around that time I had to decide what is it that I wanted to do, I had just graduated from high school at 17, and since I had an inner desire to be fabulous it was either become a chef or get into hair (btw I'm an excellent cook).
Fernando was already in beauty school working retail and at a salon during the week, he really liked it. We were still hanging out in NYC at our usual spot THE PIERS, actually this area had become a sanctuary for us. I was already working making a living so around this time he had started persuading me to go to beauty school; He instinctively knew that I would be good at it.
It was at the NYC PIERS off of Christopher Street that we would talk about our future and how fabulous we would become.
During 1988 I was so consumed with working at a private corporate law firm, beauty school, as well as working retail in NY at a store called RECKLESS, the 2 owners had taken me in to keep me from hanging out at the piers and actually had become my mentors guiding me in the retail business world as well as working at a salon on Saturdays.
I was so involved work wise that Fernando and I weren't seeing each other as often. It was MARCH 19, 1988 a Saturday around 8 in the morning, I will never forget this day, the phone had rung and Fernando's mom had asked me had I seen or spoken to Fernando. I had told her that we only had spoken 2 weeks prior, but he should be home soon, this was odd he always got in from clubbing at 6 a.m. Like clockwork. It was interesting that when she had spoken to me and mentioned his name I had an overwhelming feeling that he was no longer with us. I had felt it in my spirit.
Come to find out Fernando was murdered 1 gunshot wound to his face and 2 in the back of his head. My life would not be the same. His murder was never solved and the case went cold 3/18/1988 it was a Friday he had passed exactly at 10:30 PM. They had found his body faced down under the breezeway of the baseball stadium in Weequahic Park, NJ that is no longer there.
So with this ammunition I decided to dedicate myself into the hair field so my part of the bargain would be fulfilled. To this day I do not stop thinking of him. This chapter is dedicated to his memory so he can always live. He was only 19.
I believe FERNANDO E. BARBOSA would have gone far in life, if this would not have happened especially in the entertainment world.
In Nov of 2015 I had visited his burial site, I was about 3 chapters into the book around this time, I hadn't been there since the 90's when I accompanied his mom.
WHAT A HORRIBLE YEAR THAT WAS when this tragedy happened!
Exactly 1 year later I was gifted by JEHOVAH JIRAH with a new friend that I had just happened to have met on a 1 800 # chat room that was popular during that time way before the internet. Instinctively we had clicked interestingly enough we had mutual friends and neither knew of the other go figure. We have nearly 30 years of friend ship if anything through this time we maybe had one disagreement and it wasn't all that from what I recall. We are totally different socially, individually and our social circles don't really match, however we totally understand each other. His name is MANNY MONROIG who has witness me do what I have told him what I was going to achieve. I truly believe he should focus on his singing especially since he has a great voice for being a balladeer. That's what he's naturally gifted with. So I thank him for always being supportive and never judging me!
He came at a time that was just right; I'm a loner to begin with though I know many people that year I really wanted to be left alone this murder made me look at people differently and distrust many.
You are truly my left lung even though you drive me crazy with that cell phone and those endless selfies OK! ..... PATAH!
CHAPTER 2
THE QUESTION
It was around 1990-1992 if only I knew then what I know now! How my life will change yet again.
I was 20 yrs. old around 1990 when things started being different with her. I didn't understand it at the time; I was just working at a salon. She would always visit on a Saturday afternoon from BROOKLYN; I always loved being under her wing when I would see her.
I love all my aunts all the same way but differently! So Liz and the Lucy better not get upset.
I don't quite remember much about the C talk so for the next 2 years this had become trivial. It did finally come up later on.
Not sure what to say nor do, I never asked questions and remained the same as always. HUGGING, KISSING AND TELLING HER, EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT.
One Saturday, that I truly Thank GOD for and will never forget. I had come home right after work from the salon. To my surprise she was visiting my mother.
I came in, she was sitting at the kitchen table chatting away with my mom, around this time all was fine nothing seemed different as usual smiling.
She had teased me because I had wanted to go somewhere and didn't have a car so she said why you don't get a mule to haul your behind around like the rest of us had to do when we had no cars.
TRANSLATION IN SPANISH: BETE BUSCATED UNA JEGUAH PARA TE CARGE, since this is exactly how she said it.
I was so mad, I remember I had a loaded camera and as usual ready without hesitation I had asked my mom to take a picture of her and I. Now take into consideration I am 20 yrs. old 6'1 and told her I was going to sit on your lap and take this picture!
She had started laughing, from what I remember my mom had asked me why I wanted to take this picture it was no special occasion. My aunt just looked at me still laughing and had told me my behind was just way too big to be sitting on her lap. I in turn told her I want to take this picture so it can always remain with me. This is the only time I had taken a picture with her and I'm on her lap.
One day around 1 1/2 yr. later she was visiting again, I came in my usual self.
HUGS, KISSES AND EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALLRIGHT
But this time it was different and I knew it. I had just gotten home from working at the salon; she looked me dead in the eyes and asked me the most profound question that I will continue hearing for the rest of my breathable life.
This question has never changed and it stays the same, it continues to have the same effect all the time.
CAN YOU HELP ME WITH MY HAIR?
My answer: GO GET A WIG, wrong answer not knowing at that time what my answer had meant.
I did not realize how insensitive and what kind of impact this answer has on a woman who's about to undergo chemotherapy and begin to lose her hair!
I was young frivolous and what mattered was how fabulous I was going to become.
It was of all months around MARCH 15, 1992 also coinciding with the anniversary of FERNANDO'S death I will never forget it. The call came in my beautiful aunt had lost her battle and transitioned.
She has not died, she's resting and I will see her again!
I remember going to the funeral and just gazing at my grandmother standing over her casket not moving, I don't recall anything else.
I was young, in a new relationship at that time, not realizing what the future had in store for me.
The question never changes and always stays the same:
CAN YOU HELP ME WITH MY HAIR?
This entire book is dedicated to her loving memory and like my promise to Fernando I'm keeping my promise to her!
I am forever grateful for taking that picture that hangs in my private room in the salon; she has a huge smile on her face as she watches me assisting my clients with their new hair.
SO YES I CAN HELP YOU WITH YOUR HAIR!
The picture that follows is from my 1st fundraiser it included the picture of me sitting on her lap.
My first article in a magazine with the very 1st wig that I designed like 4 years prior that I used as a prototype for when clients came in to see, this was the unit I was never able to design for her.
And finally I gave the unit a cut and style like she would wear it and displayed it for the fundraiser.
This was all displayed in the front for all to see and so she can see me answering her question.
CHAPTER 3
OPENING MY SALON
It was 2002; a new beginning for me I decided to spread my wings and open up my own salon. I was only 32 how funny of all months I had signed the lease in MARCH 2002!
It was just me my own finances and gut instinct. It was time to move on spread my wings and begin to fl y.
When I had my grand opening ceremony everyone came out to celebrate I was grateful for all the gifts and enjoyed myself however this day left me a bit confused it was as if it was my wedding and funeral all at once after everyone left I sat there looking at all the plants and flowers I had received they started at the door and went all the way to the back of the shop for a week people were coming by to see what happened, however it left me somewhat melancholy and empty, years later when I had my first fundraiser I decided never to accept gifts like that anymore I would prefer those gifts to be monetary donations to go to someone who needs financial help with their healthcare bills. That will make me happy.
I have always been a loner and to this day prefer it that way. The impact of Fernando's death left me like this.
So I was by myself in my 1st salon, no one ever wanted to work with me and if they did it was because of an underlying agenda. So thank you JESUS for the gift of DISCERNMENT. I was and still am always ahead of these want to bees.
I loved being there all by myself always aware of the second set of footprints so really never alone, I prefer it that way.
My life has progressed and developed so much. I now understand why. I recall a person I had a long term relationship with saying to me prior to me opening this business.
INDEPENDENCE COMES WITH A PRICE OF LONELINESS
I never felt alone just different. Seven months into opening my business something interesting happened to me it never quite bothered me, however it became my thorn on my side and I just dealt with it the best way I could, focused on the book of JOB and started speaking over the problem.
I was a little confused but I just dealt with it. Grabbed the bull by the horns and kept it moving. Keeping in my thoughts GOD didn't bring me this far just to abandon me! As well as fed myself EXODUS 14:15 so I kept it moving.
My journey into additional hair was right around the corner; I ended up meeting with a very sweet and caring client around 2003 referred by another client that had moved away.
At that time I usually never paid much attention to women with thin hair. I just helped them out as much as I could. One day she just came in and had asked me OZZY do you think you can help me pick out a wig?
So without a thought I said sure. This is new to me and it seems like fun, and that's how I treated it, well around a week later I received a note to visit a woman in NYC to see if I was interested in getting involved with helping women with hair loss.
I found this intriguing shooked my head because there are no coincidences.
I called the number and made an appointment with her, I showed up, I was intrigued by the whole thing and stuck around. She had done something that kind of shocked me and at the same time made me laugh, I wasn't laughing at her it was her actions that were funny to me. She immediately took the caps from her mouth out, removed her hair stood in front of me and yelled:
DO YOU THINK I CAN WALK AROUND LOOKING LIKE THIS?
(BAYYYYYYYYBEE) when I said I rolled, I rolled ok!
Right after that she had asked me the ultimate question that is continuously on repeat.
CAN YOU HELP ME WITH MY HAIR?
It was as if I was having an outer body experience. I completely froze, went blank and had traveled back in time to the year 1991-1992 remembering when my aunt had asked this of me. I was no longer looking at her; I was having a visit with my aunt.
That is when I knew and said to myself, I think this is what I'm supposed to be doing. So I took up the off er she had given me and I started becoming obsessed with the whole idea. As time went on one door lead to another, I began engrossing myself with any course that included additional hair.
Everything from knowing how to braid, creating a full wig from scratch, I found myself in a basement taking a course on wrap net weaving with an Asian instructor, fl ying all over the country for anything that dealt with hair replacement courses, even as far as studying with a HASIDIC WIG MAKER.
Little by little I started conquering all types of hair additions.
Before engrossing myself in any of this the person who had introduced me in the additional hair world had contacted me one day and asked if I can help her with a client. I told her I'll be away taking a class around that time, she demanded to know where I was going, I kindly said: you do not have a need to know card and I'm following your advice, if I wanted your advice I would need to pay for it, so I did and have all the certifications to prove it along with I do not like to be spoon fed, I like to eat with both hands!
There was only one thing that was missing, making sense and understanding all of this. Nothing truly connected with any of it. So I found myself asking questions, even though all along the answer was within me.
When this truly connected was when I started to think about my aunt. You see on the outside world everything was smiles and I'm ok. But what was she truly feeling when she was by herself, the thoughts that were going through her mind, the questions, the mortality and most importantly her feelings.
Once I started questioning all those feelings a flood of emotions enveloped me and began realizing how a woman thinks, especially how to connect emotionally which men are not used to doing.
I began to choose my word carefully as well as my speaking pattern. For each woman I encounter with hair loss, I'm revisiting my aunt.
A BIG BEAR HUG, KISS AND EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT.
It never leaves me. I also add on THIS TOO SHALL PASS.
I have been in business on my own well over 15yrs and years on my own but not alone THE FOOTPRINTS ARE ALWAYS WALKING WITH ME!
As my momentum started picking up, I met one client on top of another. But none of this started happening until I understood the emotional aspect of it all and how deep it is.
I deal with all types of hair loss, from someone living with alopecia universalis, burn victim, trichotillomania (hair-pullers) and the list can go on.
The one that touches me the most is the client experiencing life with cancer because once we gaze into each other's eyes, I am having a visit, and it cannot be explained. It's bigger than me.
MY ACTIONS, TONE AND MANNERISM COMPLETELY CHANGE; I'm instantly in tune with her.
This experience is more than making a sale. The client is well aware she's coming to purchase something. However I choose to make it an experience to go as far as including her.
It's more than selling hair and making a profit. The visit is an experience, regardless of what's she's able to aff ord it's all treated exactly the same.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "I Kept My Promise!"
by .
Copyright © 2017 Ozzy Vera.
Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
THE COVER, IX,
OZZY'S FOREWORD, XII,
THE MURDER, 1,
THE QUESTION, 4,
OPENING MY SALON, 8,
WHAT IS THE EXPERIENCE, 12,
THE FUNDRAISER, 14,
THE ACCUSATION, 26,
THE GAPS, 31,
WHAT TO DO WITH MY BREAST NOW, 34,
ANDREA, 36,
GOING TO CONFERENCE, 38,
THE DREAM THAT WILL HAPPEN, 43,
*(MY CLIENTS REVIEW)*, 46,
MY DEDICATION OF MY DREAM, 47,
TO SALONS AND STYLISTS, 49,
WHAT YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND, 51,
WNT SIGNALING EXPLANATION, 53,
WHAT ARE CYTOSTATIC AND CYTOTOXIC DRUGS, 54,
THREE IMPORTANT STEPS, 56,
WHERE AND HOW I WOULD COME IN AND ACCOMMODATE THE CLIENT, 59,
THE OUTBURSTS, 60,
THE SUPPORT SYSTEM, 61,
BE CAREFUL HOW YOU ADVERTISE, 68,
ADVICE FOR STYLIST GETTING INTO CUSTOM DESIGN, 70,
BE CAREFUL HOW YOU TREAT SOMEONE, IT'S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT YOU!, 73,
WHY IS IT I HAVE TO BE PATIENT, 76,
LISTEN TO YOUR CLIENTS WITH NO WORDS BEING EXCHANGED, 79,
THE SCALE OF THE PROBLEM SECRET SUFFERING, 81,
PSYCHOSOMATIC ISSUES AND HOW SHE FEELS, 82,
ADDITIONAL ADVICE FOR STYLISTS, 85,
WHAT THE HELL IS SHE WEARING ON HER HEAD, 87,
WHY IT'S NOT WORKING FOR ME, 90,
THE CLIENT WHO'S NOT THERE AND THE ONE WHO'S OVERJOYED, 92,
SO WHAT IS OZZY'S MAGIC FORMULA, 95,
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR STYLIST, 97,
HI SCOTTY, 101,
THE TWO WOMEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VISION WITHIN THE BOOK!, 103,
COLLEEN GAREY TO THE IRIE BEAUTY EXPO, 104,
CONFERENCE, 107,
THE MOTHS, 111,
SOME MORE THANK YOUS, 113,
TRAVELING TO PUERTO RICO, 120,
NEW ZEALAND, 121,
HOW LONG WILL THIS BE FOR?, 125,
FINDING THE STRENGTH IN MYRA, 127,
FINDING HOPE WHEN IT SEEMS THERE IS NONE!, 129,
I'M BEING TALKED ABOUT, 132,
EARLY DETECTION IS YOUR BEST DEFENSE!, 137,
YOU FOOLED ME, 139,
THANK YOUS, 145,
I LOVE SUGAR, 150,
TO MY NIECES AND NEPHEWS, 152,
A LITTLE EXTRA STORY TIME, JUST FOR YOU BETSY, 153,
DEFINITIONS, 156,