If you saw nine-year-old Branden and his long red hair last fall, you might have made all kinds of assumptions about him and his family. Were they vegetarian basket weavers that hoped for world peace by taking away our bacon grease? Were they bikers with Harley Davidson tattoos and pierced toenails?

Nope. Branden's family is a Southern middle-class family and Branden is simply an even-tempered, sometimes aggravating, fun-loving kid like my 9-year-old son.

Well, except for the hair.

When Branden was 7, he heard of an organization that took donated hair and made it into hairpieces (prosthetics), for sick kids that lost some or all of their hair. This organization, Locks of Love, touched Branden's heart.

Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that gives hair prostheses to financially disadvantaged children, aged 6 to 18, suffering from long-term or permanent hair loss due to medication or medical conditions. Hair donations must be braids or ponytails that are at least 10 inches long.

7-year-old Branden learned that these kids weren't only sick, but they were teased because of their appearance. Right then Branden set a goal to grow his unique red hair to 10 inches - no matter what people thought. Branden's mom Kathy said, "I know to some people, this doesn't seem like such a big deal, but in our society, when a boy has long hair, people make it a big deal."

Branden endured two very long years filled with curious looks and unsolicited criticisms, to achieve more than his goal of 10 inches! On Monday, January 2, 2006, Branden held an 11-inch red ponytail in his hand. Branden inspired his older sister and one of his neighbors; they followed his lead and donated their own homegrown ponytails.

Kathy said, "The criticism got bad, but Branden kept focused and was determined to do his part to ensure that other children wouldn't be teased because of their appearance."

Lastly, Kathy stated, "For those of you that encouraged and comforted Branden during those two long years, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. For those of you who criticized and participated in the name-calling, we hope that you will some day experience the same heart-filling love and compassion as our 9-year-old son Branden has for everyone, especially sick kids."

Thank you, Kathy for sharing Branden's story. Branden is truly a special kid and it is a blessing to know him.

The next time I see a longhaired kid, I won't be so quick to judge him - he just might be a longhaired angel!