Here’s my latest Art in the AM contribution… (Art in the AM is a Rehoboth Beach Writers Guild program where members write short essays or poems in response to a piece of artwork shared by local artists.)
The minute I saw Kim Hanna‘s encaustic memoir piece from her Images of a half life series, the phrase “that’s what little girls are made of” popped into my head. So, drawing from the images in Kim Hanna’s collage, I wrote a piece of encouragement for all little girls…
What little girls are made of…
Sugar and spice and everything nice; that’s what little girls are made of…
That’s how the nursery rhyme goes, but I’m not so sure about that. For one, I would venture that some also have their share of “snips and snails and puppy-dogs’ tails” which is what little boys are supposedly made of.
Some little girls are made of grace – not only or always the physical grace to dance, but also the emotional grace to forgive, or the spiritual grace to seek the divine.
Some little girls are made of angels’ wings – wise beyond their years, they become guardians, watching over and guiding and advising.
Some little girls are made of thread – they can bind people together, or mend tears in the fabric of life.
Some little girls are made of spirographs – beautiful patterns created from spinning around and around as they work to achieve their many dreams.
Some little girls are made of the impossible joy of caged birds – able to lift their voices in song even within the confines that surround them.
Some little girls are made of the strength of stone – not to be hard, but to be resilient from whatever batters against them.
Some little girls are made of salt – bringing out the best flavors in others, preserving our stories and our links to one another.
And almost all little girls are made of butterflies – capable of cocooning to recharge, and of completely reinventing themselves as they mature.
Little girls are a collage of characteristics in and of themselves, and as a group, they are so different one from the other that they almost defy being categorized together. Each child’s collage paints a unique picture of who they will become.
What are little girls made of? Watch, and listen; they are made of all the things.
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Wow, just wow!
This whole piece got me in my feels — especially because I believe my “little” girls are definitely made in these ways.
“What are little girls made of? Watch, and listen; they are made of all the things.”
And what I love most in your closing is that, not only are they made of all THE things, but I’m blessed they are “watchers” and “listeners,” too!
XO to you.
Thanks, Cath. Your girls are proof-positive that little girls are made of so many things… They also had terrific parents to guide them along the way. Several people have asked for a copy since I read the piece at yesterday’s event; you’re not the only one who got “in the feels” here. I am thrilled with the reaction! — C
Cathy – I LOVED this!!!
Thanks so much, Deb. — C