I tell her she is beautiful, and ask her to feel it from within. That is where it is. Inside. The glory God has given her as a woman. I turn my head and and adjust the backdrop that will not cooperate with me. I fluff the chiffon and tape up the velvet.
When I return there is a small but valuable tear sliding down her luminous cheek. I pause and frown. “What is it honey?” I ask. But I already know. I know because I feel it too, as has many if not most women on the planet. We don’t believe it. We don’t embrace it. We’re beautiful, and we don’t know it. She stutters to try to explain, and and I hold her head in my hands and pray for her and speak words of blessing. This is easy because she is mine. She is my Katie. I tell her who she is, who God says she is, and that it is okay to be beautiful. We don’t have to be afraid of it. It is our glory as women. It is our gift. Our softness, our inner passion. Our resolve to love.
We change the music and we laugh. I see her shining now. My Katie. It is okay to be beautiful. It is how God made you.
A wise mother and one who is equally beautiful as her daughters.
So so true. 🙂
So true. So often we think “It’s okay for others to be beautiful” but leave ourselves out of the equation… Thanks for reminding me of this truth :o)
Mary Anne, you have captured that inner beauty in Katie. These pics are fabulous. She is truly beautiful. Has been since the day she was born. Like her Mom.
….WOW.
Beautiful indeed.
Love you Katie!! You are so beautiful…inside first and then outside….beauty is who you are!
She is amazing and so are you, Mary!
These are some of the most beautiful pictures of Katie that i’ve ever seen. You truly capture her beauty inside and out.
I miss you so much Mary Anne… I want to fly out there and see you sometime in May. Are you going to be around?
Yes! I will be here! Come to see me beautiful friend. I love you!