I have a beautiful grand niece...I mean *GORGEOUS*

[LaydeeBug]

and yesterday, while visiting my mother, she asked if she could come and spend the night with me. I had told her no so many times before, and I just didn't have it in me to say no this time...I couldn't think of any reason why not, so she came over. A few years back, in pre-K, the teacher had the class come into a play room, one by one, and told them to pick up and play with *ANY* toy they wanted. There was no right answer or wrong. (aside: smart thing that teacher did...seeing how the kids want to see themselves as opposed to how we see them) Well the husky girl, who was always handed sports balls and such went right for the princess gear. My niece, long blonde hair, fair skinned, blue eyes and who has every princess crown they've ever made for dress ups (I worked for Disney for 15 years...TRUST...her dress up trunk is hooked *up*) marched right over to the knight gear...put on some armor, grabbed a shield and sword and was all,"I'm gonna slay this dragon myself.

I like that she thinks that way...a lot.

She just turned 7 and is very inquisitive about everything. She remarked that it had been a LONG time since she had been over...she was only six the last time she visited and now she's 7. It's a BFD to her. (Her birthday was 11 days ago, lol) Recently, she asked me if it were possible to be an artist and a dancer and a scientist and the president.

I like that she asks questions like that....a lot.

She told me that 45 scares her because "he doesn't have very good ideas"

I like that she thinks like that....a lot.

So we're in the yard (I'm picking up the trash and such, and she's picking up sticks and twigs to put into the mulch pile). She picked up a particularly good sized stick to yield as a pretend sword and said as she darted the 'sword' to and fro, jabbing at the sky,

"Stay back! Stay away from me! I'm a strong black woman and I can NOT be intimidated!!!"

My cup runneth over. My heart swells with pride.

[lillypaddle]

1. What a wonderful story

about an exceptional young girl.

[niyad]

2. k and r--and thanks for the heartwarmer today.

[Lucinda]

3. I wanna be her when I grow up!

[MineralMan]

4. Too cool!

Treasure your time with her!

[Arkansas Granny]

5. She sounds like a real treasure. Enjoy your time with her.

[malaise]

6. Hug that kid

She thinks

[Aristus]

7. She sounds wonderful.

And what a keen mind she has.

When I was her age, my political astuteness went no further than noting that Nixon didn't shave as closely as my Dad did. And My first impression of Gerald Ford once Nixon resigned was that he looked like an ape. I couldn't have told you if either had ideas that were good or bad.

[hamsterjill]

8. I love that this child has been given the opportunity to think that way!!!

Kudos to your entire family for allowing this child the freedom to grow up this way. She has a bright future, and that gives ME hope.

[Dream Girl]

9. Great story but...I find it annoying when people equate beauty with blond hair and blue eyes...

Just saying...

[cwydro]

11. And certainly not "husky" either.

Sigh.

[LaydeeBug]

13. Nope. I was addressing stereotypes and norms, and FACTS

because that child happens to be gorgeous. I included her hair and eye color, because of her quoting Aunt Maxine in the end.

But, as usual, I really do appreciate your attempt to marginalize my story.

[Dream Girl]

14. Got it. I didn't make the connection earlier

Didn't meant to marginalized, I just didn't get it earlier. Still I do get sick of the blond & blue ey s = gorgeous...us African American women get to be "strong black woman". Not that there's anything wrong when th that. Sigh.

[LaydeeBug]

16. Strong IS beautiful...and our American experience is both a melting pot and kaleideoscope. nt

[cwydro]

15. Lol.

[sharedvalues]

10. So wonderful. Good for you. You probably helped teach her those values

[Victor_c3]

12. She sounds a lot like my own daughter

My oldest is 8 and she also wants to be a dancer, artist, and a scientist. I'm not so sure if she wants to be president, but she definitely has her own opinions on politics. She watched much of the Women's March on TV with her mom and little sister and then she ran up to her room and made her own protest sign!! I couldn't be more proud of my own.

With kids like these, I know the world will be in good hands when their generation comes to power. I hope we can hand them a better world than what we currently have right now.

[annabanana]

17. PICS!.. want pics! . . . n/t

[argyl]

18. I have a bright and beautiful eight y.o. grand niece I love very much also.

She's a total sweetheart and is already examining issues of social justice and is a confirmed liberal.
She was marching with her Mom, my niece, at the Million Women's March in Austin, the day after Drumpf's inauguration.

I'll bet she and your grand niece would really hit it off.

[mcar]

19. Wonderful child!