Re: times changing-turtle

I've been watching this one little girl at church (I attend for my mother's sake) for several years because she's just so beautiful. She's a shy little thing, so I feel kind of protective about her too. She's about 11 or 12 now.

Anyway, about last October or November I noticed that she seemed rather unhappy, and before she left at the end of the service I happened to notice that a piece of paper she had been writing on had "ugly" written on it several times. I'm guessing some imbeciles had been cruel to her and said she was ugly.

Well, I asked Ammelana in chat, and she said I *shouldn't* write an anonymous note to her telling her how beautiful she was, as that would creep her out - BUT . . . right about Christmas I found an excuse to do so without creeping her out. ;-)

I saw her playing with nail polish in church, so I took the opportunity to write her a note that could be interpreted as a more moralistic piece: I told her that since she was at that age where girls start using make-up, she should know that although that that may be all fine and good for ordinary girls, it could only serve to dim her beauty, with her expressive eyes and infectious smile.

(I made sure to write infectious, not infected. ;-)

I signed it as "One of your (doubtless many) Admirers". I figured that would help prevent a feeling of creepiness, as well as implying that MANY men would find her beautiful (they would!).

Well, I wonder if her father didn't know who sent it, because next week he shook my hand with a bit more gusto than usual. A month or so later, I noticed this girl looking at me, and turning away every time I looked in her direction - but nothing since that day.

However, today I happened to see her at church for the first time in a while, and she was just a glowing picture of confidence - and she just looked lovely. I felt so proud of her, even though she barely knows I exist. Wow! I hope she can know how beautiful she is, without becoming vain. I hope that for every little girl.

Kalika's post just reminded me of how important it is for girls to know that they can be loved, just as they are.