I miss getting my hair cut.

Barber shops and salons have been closed in Rhode Island for weeks. I've got the side part working out of necessity for the first time since high school. It's not my best look. (1/10)

But the more I've thought about it, I actually miss it for a different reason. I can always count on a great conversation with Mike Bitar. I feel fortunate to consider him a friend. What I've learned from him as a client far outweighs any service he's ever provided to me. (2/10)

I'd say 95% of the time we talk about trivial things like the Patriots or a vacation coming up or how we might have had too much to drink the previous Saturday. I'll readily admit to being a stereotypical guy. My DNA doesn't always allow us to touch on deep topics. (3/10)

I'm replaying a lot of that other 5% in my head in recent days. Mike's family came here from Syria to escape authoritarianism and systematic oppression. America promised to give them that chance. I've never known anything different. (4/10)

Mike left a place that stifled a free press, devalued science and education, embraced religious fundamentalism and never made the slightest attempt to care for the disadvantaged. Our rights and policies are supposed to guarantee such things. I always felt like they did. (5/10)

Mike navigated an immigration system that badly needs reform. Becoming a citizen 'the right way' can take up to a decade. And still, the fact that people are willing to wait speaks to what we have to offer. I was born into it. (6/10)

I had two parents, food on the table every night and some new clothes every school year. I had the chance to graduate from college and pursue the career I wanted. I had options. I never thought about why. I just had them. (7/10)

I've been laid off twice, but I've never experienced any real economic pain. I've been asked to step out of my car by police, but I've never felt any real fear. I've looked over my shoulder in certain neighborhoods but asked myself whether or not I should be there. (8/10)

I take all of those things for granted. Real equality is when everyone feels the same. Our current state of affairs says that's not the case even here in a country that is supposed to guarantee it. (9/10)

So when @BitarBarbershop opens again, yes, I can't wait to get a fresh cut. I need one. But I'll be doing all the listening while I sit in that chair. My hope is that one day I might feel like I've learned enough to help. (10/end)