Last weekend Charli participated in a Valentine's Day pageant organized by my school's PTO. Pageants aren't exactly our thing, but it was a "natural" pageant (no flippers) and Charli loves any opportunity to dress up and twirl. Her best friend Reagan had signed up, so I figured why not. We borrowed a dress from our dear friend Robin, purchased sparkly shoes, and signed up.
When the big day arrived I was a little nervous. Charli's eyes are different and she deals with some posture issues that go along with being blind. Add to that the fact that I am not exactly a great hair stylist and I was really wondering how this was all going to go down.
Of course I should have known better than to worry. As soon as she hit the stage Miss Charli shone like a star. She held her head high, smiled, and waved to the judges. The crowd erupted in applause and Chad and Conner whistled. When she stepped off the stage, Charli was surrounded by her adoring fans (family, friends, and my 3rd graders). She didn't place, but when she was handed her participation trophy, she smiled like she had just been crowned Miss America.
A few days later, Charli strolled in as I was drying my hair and announced, "Mommy, you can use the dryer again on my hair for my next beauty pageant." Your next pageant? Oh boy!
Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.
Helen Keller
Helen Keller
