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I met Michael D Higgins, the President elect of Ireland when I was a child. I must have been about 8 years old at the time, and a very small child asÌýMichael D Higgins seemed like a giant man. He'sÌýnot.ÌýThe word "diminuitive" is widely used toÌýdescribe him.ÌýIt 's a bitter sweet memory.ÌýHiggins was campaigning on the streets of Dundalk on a busy Saturday afternoon andÌýmy dad, who was active in Northern Irish politics across the border in Newry,Ìý took meÌýÌýto meet him.ÌýBut I was preoccupied with something else.ÌýEarlier that dayÌýI had had myÌývery long hairÌýcut up short into a "Purdy bob".Ìý It was the must go to hairstyle of the day,Ìýas pertinent to contemporary culture as the RachelÌýfrom Friends shag was to the 90's. But for me itÌýwas traumatic. I felt shorn and blamed my mum who I believed (and probably still do)Ìýcouldn't be bothered dealing with the early morning school run hassle of plaiting, brushing, etc.

As I felt my dad's hand in my shoulder blades gently shove me towards Michael D, I felt a lump in my throat thinkingÌýhe never knew me with long hair and now I lookÌýlike Joanna Lumley from the New Avengers.Ìý

The day I met the future President of Ireland and the day I lost my locks.