Munira Premji

Today I pay tribute to two incredible artists who are the best at their craft.

1a039d3b3aa9d4adef8bfee00982726fBut let me start from the beginning.  As you know, my hair started falling out last week as a result of the chemotherapy.  I hung on to it for as long as I could until it was impossible as bald patches started appearing randomly all across my head.  it was not pretty.  So my beautiful friend and hair stylist, Afsan, came to the rescue and shaved my head, with Nagib looking on nervously.

2016-03-31 002The next day, my friend Tarquin Singh came home and applied a stunning henna crown on my head.  Tarquin operates a company called Henna Planet. This is the third time I have worked with Tarquin, as I have lost hair from cancer treatment three times in the past 4 years.  She designs crowns after consulting with the client, so it is a wonderful process of co-creativity.  I told her to find a way to include the words, “when you choose hope” at the back of the crown.  And she did!

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Next, I connected with my friend Chris Hughes from A Nerd’s World to ask if he could take pictures of the henna crown experience to preserve the memory of the event.  I met Chris four years ago as part of my journey through cancer when he offered a promotion to take complimentary pictures of individuals battling cancer. I took him up on it! Since then Chris and I have kept in touch and developed an abiding friendship.  Chris assigned Kenneth Appiah from A Nerd’s World to take the pictures.

Here is a gallery of pictures that bring the Henna Crown design by Tarquin Singh and the creativity of photographer Ken Appiah together, in perfect harmony.  It is yet another reminder for me that cancer, if you choose to, can bring interesting people into your life, and can allow for creative expressions and experiences that make difficult times very special.

And now, on to Chemotherapy #2.

– Munira.

P.S. When You Choose Hope is my YouTube Channel.  Here you can find "Munira's Journey", a 55-minute film about my first battle with cancer. Also see this blog post: "Once You Choose Hope, Anything is Possible" to find out more about the origins of the phrase.

15 Comments

  • La'Wana Harris , June 3, 2016

    Beautiful

  • Lucy , May 19, 2016

    You look beautiful Munira-you are an inspiration. God bless you to bits. Thinking of you-BEAR HUGS from Far away

  • K. , April 12, 2016

    Love the fancy “head art” ! Sending you healing and loving energy, Munira. Strength, power and courage to you all.

  • Cindy Walsh , April 10, 2016

    Magnificent!

  • Anonymous , April 7, 2016

    How neat is that! You are an amazing woman. Hang in there. We think and pray for you everyday.
    Lynda and Dave

  • Noor , April 6, 2016

    You rock girl. 👍

  • Swati , April 6, 2016

    Munira you look stunning! Love and miss you!

  • Jehan , April 6, 2016

    Munira, you are so beautiful, inside and out <3 Thank you for sharing your light and your smile with the world!

  • Anonymous , April 6, 2016

    Wow, your henna crown is amazing!! You can totally get away with never wearing a wig! But I know they are fun and playful – so you just have another fantastic option – with is au natural. Hope to see you soon XOX

  • Elizabeth , April 6, 2016

    Beautiful! When you choose hope you create incredible things, experiences, connections and you sure grow people Munira.

  • Lyndsy Evenden , April 6, 2016

    You look beautiful!

  • Nargis Hajee , April 6, 2016

    There you go with a beautiful smile as ever. You look gorgeous as usual. Keep up with the spirit all the way. Our prayers for your good health, peace, strength, barakah and fulfillment of all your good wishes. Ameen.

  • Gulshan Harjee , April 6, 2016

    The henna crown is very becoming indeed !

  • Begum Janmohamed , April 6, 2016

    Mukhiani Maa you look beautifull – keep up the spirit. Ever smiling and giving courage to others.

  • Yasmin Jiwa , April 6, 2016

    You look so beautiful

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