An Inspired Response

“Mom, I’m Fat:” One Mother’s Inspired Response to Her 7 Year Old

 I read this little article today and it really touched me.  I hope all the sweet little girls I know (myself included), will see what really makes them beautiful.
We should not be afraid to address these issues and share our stories with one another. It helps so much to come together and help each other to overcome the stigmas of modern society.
I still battle the occasional rain cloud above my head that tries to bully the unique and special person that I am. The exquisite childlike curiosity that I've worked so hard to cultivate, cowers in the corner when the blackness of "what if it's true" covers the truth of things. Well what if this huge negative thing (whether it is about being overweight, lazy, selfish, irresponsible, etc.) is true? 
All the negative things that creep into a self-confident mind could be true, but I have a choice- I can approach it however I like! Does it change who I was 5 minutes ago, now that it's been brought to my attention? I'm still me. I do have the power to change things if I want to, but I want it to be for me and what I believe, not for the satisfaction of societal conformity, "correctness", or norms. 
I see the world in shapes, colors, and textures. I delight in good stories. I'm a hunter of cool sounds. I'm a collector of curious things and ideas. Those are some of the things that make me beautiful and radiant. My defense against gloomy rain clouds that wont leave me alone. 

Adventures on Mars and in Genealogy

Much has happened as of late. I finished up with finals and went to the NGS (National Genealogical Society) conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. I learned how to spell Cincinnati and that it has 88 counties. Learned what a thorn was in old English. Ate good food and met lots of fun people while I was there. I got rid of a few things and moved into a new place with high ceilings and lots of quirks. Found some new LPs. Sent off friends and welcomed some back. I picked up twenty more hours of work for the summer. I'm on book 2 of the Barsoom series and have delighted in journeying to far away planets with the Virginian who doesn't know the meaning of the word impossible. And today I vanquished the gym for the first time in weeks. And to make it a perfect moment, I'm writing to you whilst listening to the Pumpkins' Adore album- its narrated many a moments in my life. Talk to you soon.