It started the other month while I was brushing her hair in the bathroom.
"Mom, if I had to choose between two things, I'd choose the different one."
She surprises me all the time with these statements. So obvious , so profound.
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It wasn't always that way.
The first week of school was filled with:
"Ashley has glitter shoes, Mom! Can we go get some?"
"Everyone else has pink coats. Why can't I have a pink coat?"
" Everyone in my class has bangs. When can I cut my bangs?"
I was sorta freaking out. I was not ready for this. Already? No. Please no.
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But Before school last week, she boldly announced that she doesn't like Barbie's any more.
"Good!" I thought. I never liked them anyways, and the ones we have in the house migrated from neighbor's houses or were gift's from somewhere. And now that I think of it, she hasn't played with them in months.
"How come?"
"They're boring. But mostly cause I'd rather play with something different."
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Earlier this year, we went to the D.I. (thrift store) and I let the kids pick out a $1 toy. Addie chose a gorgeous African fabric doll in traditional African clothing. Later that day, after playing with her for a few hours, she came upstairs and said:
"Mom, isn't it wonderfu! My doll looks just like me!"
(Translation: I chose the doll that was the most different of them all, and because I'm different, she's just like me!)
I love that girl.
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I've been thinking a lot lately about the pressure out there to be up on what everyone else is loving these days. We "like" "tweet" "comment" "pin" so much that pretty soon that unique find at the flea market isn't so unique any more. Indie bands go mainstream with enough you-tube hits that they aren't even your special find any more. You know?
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As a commercial artist it's something I'm rather aware of. There is so much awareness out there, that it can so often take away our inner artist. It happens by accident really. I find myself always on guard.
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The Beauty of Different. I can't claim that wonderful phrase. Karen has always been a hero of mine.
But, Pirate girls. Innocent, dainty and a little different. You may or may not be seeing some fabric of the sorts come spring.
They've been on my mind.
xoxox