Comment

Comment by patricia gibbons on May 10, 2012 at 10:31pm

thank you for sharing, mary. he will be missed.

Comment by Mary Rector-Gable on May 10, 2012 at 8:17pm

I know it goes without saying that we are all feeling a terrible emptiness inside.  When we ask ourselves what difference our existence can make in the world, we are reassured by the example of one man, orphaned at a young age with everything against him, who had a passion that burned so strong, he let nothing stand in the way of his dream and his vision....and in doing so, he changed the world.  I don't believe Vidal ever clearly understood the power of his presence or the depth of his giving; he just loved hair and loved hairdressers.  As all of you know, Vidal and I worked together to create Hairdressers Unlocking Hope and raised over $2MM to support Katrina victims.  He was an amazing man- one whom I was able to spend two wonderful years with in our efforts with HUH. And, while we spent countless hours working to fulfill his dream to help Katrina victims, I feel that the greatest gift he gave was not houses or money, but it was the gift of his presence to thousands of hairdressers who may have never had a chance to be touched or inspired by his passion and purpose-- even so many years after he had put down his shears.  He changed everything- in the lives of hairdressers and in my life.  Vidal and I made a great team and without his support and mentoring and guidance, I know that I wouldn't be the person I am today. I will miss him, you will miss him, the industry will miss him.