Mid-mornings are precious to me. After the first few hours of the day, when I change, feed, nurse, change again and play with Edie until her first nap, I have a few minutes to myself.
This morning, like usual, I take the chance to drink a cup of decaffeinated tea and tool around on the Internet. I catch up on email, check Facebook and read blogs. Today I came across the newest post from Deb at The Monster in Your Closet. She writes, “I don’t want to be or waste my time striving to be someone else’s image of perfection. I do want my kids to understand the beauty of human bodies–and faces–is not in how they look but what they do.”
Deb posted several selfies of her gorgeous pregnant self and linked to the inspiration for the post over at Square One Notes. Sandra from Square One invited other writers to post a photo of themselves. “I need to know it’s okay to live in a world where we like ourselves,” she says. “I want my daughter to grow up with a sense of self worth and confidence so that others will hold her in the same regard. Help me show her it’s okay to be in our own corner.”
Now this is something I can get behind.
I’ve written several times about my own struggle to be self-compassionate (here and here, for example). I am doing my best to model kindness to everyone, including myself, so Peeper sees what it truly means to be—and act—beautiful.
My first plan was to wait to take my selfie until I’d had a moment to clean up. Then I realized that would defeat the entire purpose of the challenge.
So here I am—no makeup, in my pajamas and bath robe, my hair a hot mess. But! I’m smiling, and there are Valentine’s Day tulips in the background.
This is what I look like most of the time anyway. Most days I get dressed (eventually), though that usually entails swapping yoga pants for sweats. I don’t usually bother putting on mascara because I mostly play with Peeper at home and I’d rather use the minute or two makeup application requires for something else, like petting Finn or eating a muffin. (You have to set priorities!)
Edith doesn’t care if I’m still wearing pajamas at noon. She doesn’t notice if the back of my hair looks like a rat’s nest. She doesn’t mind if I haven’t worn earrings in a month.
I nibble on her cheeks, making her laugh. I read her favorite books five times in a row. I let her splash extra-long in the tub. I soothe her when she cries. I get up four or five times in a night because she needs me. I give her extra snuggles when her nose is runny or a tooth is working its way up.
That is much more difficult to show in a selfie. But that is real beauty.
I got goosebumps reading this. (In the interest of full disclosure, my eyes are also unusually sparkly.) This is beautiful. You are beautiful. I am filled with an urge to sing my love from the mountain tops, or at least from the hotel rooftop, but these words here will have to suffice for now.
I get sparkly eyes all the time, too. Goes with the territory! I hope you’re having an amazing and rejuvenating trip!
I got goosebumps reading this. (In the interest of full disclosure, my eyes are also unusually sparkly.) This is beautiful. You are beautiful. I am filled with an urge to sing my love from the mountain tops, or at least from the hotel rooftop, but these words here will have to suffice for now.
I get sparkly eyes all the time, too. Goes with the territory! I hope you’re having an amazing and rejuvenating trip!
Thank you for the comment on my blog. Knowing family history ties us to the past and to the present. I appreciate your bit on “Selfies”. You are lovely without the makeup and in your PJ’s, teaching your daughter that real beauty doesn’t require anything more than being who you are.
Thank you, and so true! I love this: “Real beauty doesn’t require anything more than being who you are.” Thanks for stopping by – I hope to see you again!
Thank you for the comment on my blog. Knowing family history ties us to the past and to the present. I appreciate your bit on “Selfies”. You are lovely without the makeup and in your PJ’s, teaching your daughter that real beauty doesn’t require anything more than being who you are.
Thank you, and so true! I love this: “Real beauty doesn’t require anything more than being who you are.” Thanks for stopping by – I hope to see you again!
Thank you so much for taking the time to submit your entry! Your interpretation of the challenge is another beautiful tribute to my daughter. Thanks for helping me show her what matters most. I received 5 entries so far. I’m posting the winners tomorrow. P.S. I love keeping up with Deborah too. Best wishes, Sandra
Thank you so much for taking the time to submit your entry! Your interpretation of the challenge is another beautiful tribute to my daughter. Thanks for helping me show her what matters most. I received 5 entries so far. I’m posting the winners tomorrow. P.S. I love keeping up with Deborah too. Best wishes, Sandra
Your daughter is cute beyond words – and I’m always more than happy to do a *teeny* bit to help our girls grow into strong, compassionate, kind women.
Beautiful post, and beautiful photo! As a mom of a daughter, I, too, think it’s important to show our daughters that self love is the first love, and help grow confidence in her natural self, as she is. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Glad to have found yours!
Thank you, Marlynn! I’m glad you stopped by. 🙂
Beautiful post, and beautiful photo! As a mom of a daughter, I, too, think it’s important to show our daughters that self love is the first love, and help grow confidence in her natural self, as she is. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Glad to have found yours!
Thank you, Marlynn! I’m glad you stopped by. 🙂
Pajamas are the uniforms of warriors in a moment of prologue. Just remember that.
(Written while clad in pajamas.
Geoff, I think I’m going to frame that. Brilliant!
Agreed! And truly beautiful post Catherine – thank you.
Pajamas are the uniforms of warriors in a moment of prologue. Just remember that.
(Written while clad in pajamas.
Geoff, I think I’m going to frame that. Brilliant!
Agreed! And truly beautiful post Catherine – thank you.
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