Munira Premji

When we hear the word cancer, so often we think about pain and suffering. But cancer has its funny moments!

Last week, I went to Old Navy to buy some clothes for the Fall.  I was having a wonderful time trying on jeans and sweaters, hoodies and tops.  There was a young attendant who was helping me with sizes and suggestions.  We had perfected a routine where I would try on an outfit and come out of the dressing room.  She would look at me and give me the thumbs up or down on how it looked on me.

After about the eighth time of doing this, I enthusiastically came out of my dressing room and she screamed as she saw me.  I didn’t know what had happened, and asked if she was alright.  She hung on to a clothes rack beside her and pointed at me.

I looked at the mirror in my dressing room and realized that my wig had fallen off my head and was caught on my shoulder.  It was quite the sight as my nearly bald head (with gray and black hair starting to grow rapidly) made its unwelcome and surprising appearance.  Within minutes, I went from an elegant woman to someone who looked like they were from Mars, with a bad hair day!

The humour of the situation struck me and I started laughing uncontrollably.

In between my laughter, I explained to the woman that I had cancer and was wearing a wig.  She did not quite know how to react to this news.  And then she started to laugh and we became partners for that one scene in the moment. It was therapeutic and uplifting.

In dealing with my cancer, I have embraced many different looks.  At the beginning, and for a long time, I had a hard time seeing myself bald.  Now I rock the bald look! I have a blonde wig and sometimes show up as a redhead.  Then there is the California, long hair curly look and a posh spice look.  I experiment with berets and scarves.  Interestingly, each look allows me to morph into someone different, without changing the essence of who I am.  And it keeps things interesting for Nagib, who is never sure what he is going to encounter when he comes home after work!

-Munira

32 Comments

  • mylegacytoyou , November 1, 2012

    My goodness how you glow in all your looks! My beautiful Munira, you are trendier and hip than I ever remember! I love your braided look and you rock that bald chick to the core. Nagib looks smitten and so very proud to showcase his wife! You are a picture of well-being and living life to the fullest. My cheeks hurt by grinning so much. You look positively a transformed by this experience. You inspire me and I love you more every day.
    Deva

    • Premji Family , November 3, 2012

      I love you too! Thanks for your kind words about the different looks. I am having fun with them. There is not much I can control in my life right now with all the uncertainty. So I focus on what I have control over and try to make the most of it, you know? Munira

  • Anonymous , October 29, 2012

    You look absolutely awesome in ALL your LOOKS!! You are also pulling off the skinny jeans look with pizzaz!!!!
    Miss seeing you. I always get the word when you’re in khane but it seems when you’re there I’m not and vice versa. Hopefully soon we can see each other.

    Dilshad

    • Premji Family , November 3, 2012

      Hi Dilshad. I am so glad I finally got to see you, areef, narissa and tahera yesterday. I have missed you guys a lot! Tha is for noticing g the skinny jean look. It is my favorite look! Munira

  • Anonymous , October 26, 2012

    When you laugh, the world will laugh with you but when one is sorrow ……I am not sure ….

    anyways

    good sense of humour , and tomorrow, today will be history…
    part and parcel of life and journey , shukar!
    salome

    • Premji Family , November 3, 2012

      You are so right. It’s about taking the good with the bad -and doing it all with grace!

  • Begum Janmohamed , October 26, 2012

    MukhianiMaa, I was in j.k. last week, you sang the Ginan as I was entering j.k. and was wondering who was saying the Ginan. Later realized it was you. You looked very beautiful nobody would know what you are going thru. You did an excellent job. Please pass our regards to your family. Can you please make me a c.d. for anant akhado when you feel better. you have very nice voice. I will meet you in j.k. and let you know who I am. You know me by my face.

    EID MUBARAK TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. HOPE YOU HAD GOOD TIME.

    Love to read your BLOGS.

    Begum

    • Premji Family , November 3, 2012

      Hi Begum. Thanks! I was so thrilled that I got to sing. It was a last minute waro and I was just fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. Thanks for reading the blogs. It encourages us to keep writing! Munira

  • wakko2 , October 26, 2012

    Munira, you are always a breath of fresh air always, in every situation!! Lovin’ all the “looks” you are able to create! Bless you Munira and keep up that spirit and attitude!!!

    • Premji Family , November 3, 2012

      With your encouragement, I will continue to try new looks. What a blessing it is to experiment and have fun at the same time! Thanks for your support and I live your exclamation marks!!!

  • Anonymous , October 26, 2012

    Love the beret, the scarf and red on you Muni. BTW, Old Navy has become one of my favourite stores too. Have you seen their jewelry section?

    Safiya

    • Premji Family , November 3, 2012

      Thanks Safiya. I have not yet checked out the jewelry section. But i will when I am back in the store! Muni

  • Lyndsy Evenden , October 26, 2012

    You rock all of those looks! I’ve got a feeling you won’t want to give up the wigs when your hair is fully grown back! Sending hugs and positive vibes Munira. Lyndsy x

    • Premji Family , November 3, 2012

      You are so right Lyndsy! I love the flexibility of the wigs and how you can create and recreate yourself in minutes. Thanks so much for taking the time to write. Such a pleasure to hear from you! Hugs back, Munira

  • lucy , October 25, 2012

    Rock on. I love you every day, look forward to reading this and I have learnt a lot reading all the blogs. Keep the spirit and HUGS all the way.

    • Anonymous , October 26, 2012

      I love reading your blog. They just make my day. There are some days that I get emotional but most of them are happy and very positive.

      I think I have mentioned to you that I know you from Moshi. I was your sister’s Naaz’s classmate. (My maiden name Yasmin Murji)

      • Premji Family , November 3, 2012

        I remember who you are Yasmin. If I recall, your family had a store in Himu? I am so glad you read the blogs. It encourages us to keep writing! Very nice to hear from a voice from the past! Munira

    • Premji Family , November 3, 2012

      I am keeping up the spirit. Always a pleasure to hear from you. Munira

  • Chantal , October 25, 2012

    Dear Munira,
    You made me laugh so much, I can imagine you and the salesperson! It is important to laugh in life. All you wigs look good on you!
    You take care and we miss you…
    Chantal
    xoxo

    • Premji Family , November 3, 2012

      Hey Chantal. Everytime I go to the store, I look for the lady so we can laugh together again. It was just so funny and therapeutic in the moment it happened. I miss you all too! Take good care of yourself and the team in Laval. Munira

  • BJ , October 25, 2012

    Ahaha, great story. All of your looks are fabulous you, and my favorite is the beret and the long braid. You rule. BJ

    • Premji Family , November 3, 2012

      Thanks BJ. How have you been? I find I become the look I choose. Interesting connotation for coaching isn’t it.? Almost like each look provides a different perspective! Munira

  • Linda , October 25, 2012

    No doubt about it, humour can be the best medicine! You are a rockin’ lady no matter what you wear (or don’t)!! Rock on!!

    • Premji Family , November 3, 2012

      Humour is a great way to make things better. I still laugh when i remember the incident in the store. Let’s all rock on! Munira

  • Anonymous , October 25, 2012

    You uplift me. You continually show me by example how to live life – the one gift we all have and must make the most of – no matter the circumstance. Your spirit always has been life loving, generous and very inspiring in every way. Muni, I love you and am so glad you grace my life! Anny

    • Premji Family , November 3, 2012

      I am also learning to make the most of every day, regardless of the circumstance, and to live in the space of constant gratitude. Munira

  • Julie Nunes , October 25, 2012

    You look amazing in all of them!

  • Anonymous , October 25, 2012

    You look amazing in all of them! Xoxo

    • Premji Family , November 3, 2012

      Gee Thanks!!! Munira

  • Anonymous , October 25, 2012

    You go girl!! I look forward to reading your blog. You don’t know me, but I know you as Mukhiani Ma. I watch you in khane and see how you still smile and are so engaging with the jamat. An inspiration for sure.

    • Premji Family , November 3, 2012

      Thanks for reading the blog. I would love to know who you are! Munira

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