My eyes scanned the area as I walked into the salon, there had to be someone amazing in this uber, cool place. In fact the salon was full of beautiful. Every colour, shape & size and that was just their hair.
I spotted this woman straight away, the only person not dressed all in black, a flash of vibrant colour, amazing hair, big soulful but defensive eyes & a brilliant attitude.
I discovered she was my stylist & I did a little dance inside. Perfect, it was meant to be.
Somehow I feel like I am not running this show at all.
Name: Marie Kelly
Occupation: Toni & Guy Trained. Prive, Orlando, Master Stylist.
1. Where were you born and raised.
‘Born in Brooklyn, New York, nothing better!’
‘A Catholic school girl, school & church that was it.’
2.Tell me a childhood memory.
‘I remember being on 5th Avenue trying to make my way home and the street around my street was a little seedy so I remember running past a homeless guy who was slumped over, I was running by when all of a sudden he spat up, I didn’t know where it was gonna land and it landed on my ankle, arghh!’ I remember it was a really gross experience and I kept running.’
I asked Marie why she was alone on 5th Ave.
‘I was just walking around sneaking away from the home just for a minute, just to walk around the block, trying to find myself and trying to find out more about life. I felt so sheltered.’
3.What is your favourite season and why?
‘Fall, I think the changes, the colours, the colours of the trees, I was born in October. I just love the Autumn the changes in the air.’
4.Tell me about someone you love.
‘I have several. My son, he’s nine years old. He’s Highly Function Autism but he is the best thing that ever happened to me. He doesn’t have any behavioural issues it’s more speech for him than anything else. They say by the time he is 14, 15 none will be the wiser. I am still grateful but always worry for him, but that’s my love, yeah.’ ‘I got offended one time when someone said shall I talk slow for your son, I had to collect myself and I didn’t say anything but sometimes you reflect and I think I should have said something. His name is Saeed.’
Saeed Lloyd and he is named after both the grandfathers that Marie never met.
5. What words of wisdom do you have for the reader about life?
‘Treat people how you want to be treated. Have some empathy and sympathy for your fellow human being. Why have more empathy for a dog than an actual person. I see that trend now. A dog will come into a room versus a baby and people will love that dog. Love that person, embrace that person.’
6.Dreams for the future.
‘Long health, to see my son grow, see my Grandkids, hopefully. Knock on wood, whatever and pursue those dreams..my dream is to hopefully be part of ‘W’ magazine and be editorial, be part of Vogue, be a central part of fashion. Make a stamp.’
For the entirety of the conversation Marie was keeping it together. We were in a busy, public environment so she was strong as is required by human standards and she didn’t lose hold of her emotions.
Marie for me is a bubbling pot. She needs to explode with her creativity, boil over with all the emotions she is keeping suppressed right now and just except the path that has been handed her, in that moment her dreams will become her reality.
I liked her a lot, you would too. She says it straight in her head and then gives you the edited version..I look forward to her telling me how it is off the bat. We’ve time, we’ve only just met. I imagine life growing up for Marie was hard, losing yourself in anonymity in order to survive your reality is a familiar circumstance. This has made her a better person, she is well equipped, suited up for battle and the woman you want on your team, she aims to win.
I try to imagine the man she is married to, strong but quiet, reflective perhaps and solid, she needs strength when she comes home as she has been strong all day and the pretence fails as you walk through the door. Together they are strong for Saeed, when its needed. I hope her husband realises that despite her facade she is flailing too and that they have a moment to just be a couple and remember the love they had before they became parents to a ‘High Function Autistic Child’. It’s not a badge they need to wear but as a parent it often reflects who you become.
Marie Kelly is another wonderful human being I have met on this journey, I am fully aware that I have only scratched the surface of her story. Thats ok, I look forward to hearing more, in her own time. When she can trust me. I need her to feel safe in the knowledge that I am not here to hurt her too, only listen because already she really is wonderfully fascinating to me.
