Just A Sweet Happening In My Life

[Holly]

Yesterday I was at ULTA picking up some eyeshadow, mascara, and brushes. I found the things I needed and got in line to check out. There was a young girl in front of me... I'd say about eight years old or so. She turned around to check me out. I smiled at her and she turned back around. This was repeated two or three times over the next minute or two. I am certain she had made me and was confirming her suspicions. The last time she turned around, she looked me in the eye and uttered four words that melted my heart... "I like your makeup." Her words were spoken free of judgment and full of sincerity. I thanked her and wished her a Merry Christmas. She had seen to it already the mine would be.

So what can we learn from this? Going out dressed can be scary, no doubt. But without risk, there is absolutely no chance of being rewarded with innocent acceptance as I was yesterday. Definitely worth the risk in my opinion. What do you think?

[giuseppina]

Short and sweet: Children are free of prejudice until taught otherwise.

[Marissa]

That is sweet..thanks for sharing the story, Holly... it reminds me of one Halloween venture downtown in a limo with about ten of us girls..we stopped on a bridge with a shallow river which was located near a federal building of sorts so it had some traffic for being an evening. We got out to take group pics and have some antics.. anyway.. a HUMVEE limo pulls up with kids celebrating homecoming..the gg's wanted a group pic with us, guys..well..they had to listen to the girls..as always..

Anyway..a car pulls up with a dad driving, a mom and her two small girls get out to take a closer look..and a pic or two..one of the small girls stared at me while walking by...they shared some time with a few of us...and as they were making their way back to the car, the young girl looked at me really hard..and says "your pretty".. so yes, that made my night..innocence that tells the truth.. :)

[noeleena]

Hi,

Checking ya out to make sure you were wearing make up, It wasnt about what you are , or who, it looked nice & thats what she said,

I think its lovely when young people can look & see some thing nice.

Good one,,

...noeleena...

[docrobbysherry]

What a wonderful experience for u, Holly! Now, maybe u understand the joy and surprises I received from children the last 2 Halloweens. When I went to Disneyland dressed as Cinderella and Dorothy!

[Misti]

Beautiful story, Holly, thanks for sharing it with us... We all should be so blessed?
L&R

[joanna4]

aww that is so sweet. It's amazing, the mind of an 8 year old. I'm glad you shared:)

[Melody1985]

That's really sweet!! :)

[Marleena]

That's a wonderful story Holly.:) We definitely need to hear more like that.

[Jonianne]

How wonderful Holly! To have your heart touched by one so truly innocent is liked being touched by God himself.

The song from the musical "South Pacific" comes to mind:

"You've Got to be Carefully Taught"

You've got to be taught
To hate and fear
You've got to be taught
From year to Year
It's got to be drummed
in your dear little ear
You've got to be carefully taught

You've got to be taught
To be Afraid
Of people whose eyes
are oddly made
And people whose skin
Is a different shade
You've got to be carefully taught

You've got to be taught
Before it's too late
Before you are 6 or 7 or 8
To hate all the people
your relatives hate
You've got to be carefully taught

[Claire Cook]

She really was so sweet to say that; I can just imagine the glow in your smile! Thanks for sharing.

[Stefanie_in_Mt]

wonderful story, kids are so sweet, I wish adults could learn from them

[Jenny Doolittle]

Holly,

That was such a sweet and innocent story. Thank you for sharing. It is stories like yours that has me coming back to share each and everyday.

[PretzelGirl]

That is really awesome Holly! We always say how perceptive young children and and this one certainly was. I am sure you will be glowing for quite a while.

[Sally24]

Going out dressed can be scary, no doubt. But without risk, there is absolutely no chance of being rewarded with innocent acceptance as I was yesterday. Definitely worth the risk in my opinion.

I agree. Some of my most happy moments outside of my immediate family have been simple compliments from GGs and others I have met while out dressed as Sally. Just a simple "I just had to tell you how much I love that skirt" is great. And if it's the rare "You really look beautiful you know" the glow from that can last for days.

Just the other night out, when we posed for our group shot, a GG jumped in to be part of the pic. As we put our arms around each others backs to squeeze in for the picture she commented on how soft my skin was. Even asked me if I exfoliated! It was nice and made me feel extra nice all evening.

There are risks and rewards to going out in public but I feel the risks are few, at least for me. Thanks for this sweet thread Holly!

[Barbara Ella]

A wonderful life experience Holly, many thanks for sharing. The lack of an imposed filter in children surely makes them magnificent human beings until adult society spoils them. Your attitude provides inspiration for those of us very new to ourselves. Thank you for that.

Babes

[susie evans]

thanks for sharing with us , it was great to have dinner with the group in vegas a week ago , hope thanksgiving dinner was good also ,you were looking great as allways will keep in touch

hugs susie

[Holly]

Things like this seem to be happening to me more and more. Why? Because I am out and about more and more. I have believed for a long time that the more we are seen doing everyday things to satisfy our everyday needs, the easier it becomes for us to be accepted. Daylight should not be feared; it serves to illuminate the fact that we are simply people with the same needs as anyone else... food, shelter, clothing (only our clothing is prettier than usual :)). Being seen buying groceries, banking, paying bills, etc., is the best way for us to break down the preconceived notions that we are some kind of perverts, not worthy of living a normal life. And it seems to be working... at least for me. I've bought a house, a car, have a Costco card, been to the dentist, I even met with some Medicare Advantage providers (yeah, I'm that old :D). I'm not sharing this with you all to brag or to prove how brave I am because the truth of the matter is I'm not brave, I'm scared... scared I will run out of time before I discover my full identity and potential. My own personal experience has been the risks are minimal and the rewards, like the one which began this thread, are enormous. Get out there and LIVE!

[Sandra]

Holly what a lovely thing to happen :)

I agree that if more were out and about and doing things like you do, then more will be accepted, as some will know most of the time the public just goes on about their own business.

[Longing2be-Trisha]

Awesome story Holly! Great thoughts about rewards!

Hugs

[Claire Cook]

Things like this seem to be happening to me more and more. Why? Because I am out and about more and more. I have believed for a long time that the more we are seen doing everyday things to satisfy our everyday needs, the easier it becomes for us to be accepted. Daylight should not be feared; it serves to illuminate the fact that we are simply people with the same needs as anyone else... food, shelter, clothing (only our clothing is prettier than usual :)). Being seen buying groceries, banking, paying bills, etc., is the best way for us to break down the preconceived notions that we are some kind of perverts, not worthy of living a normal life. And it seems to be working... at least for me. I've bought a house, a car, have a Costco card, been to the dentist, I even met with some Medicare Advantage providers (yeah, I'm that old :D). I'm not sharing this with you all to brag or to prove how brave I am because the truth of the matter is I'm not brave, I'm scared... scared I will run out of time before I discover my full identity and potential. My own personal experience has been the risks are minimal and the rewards, like the one which began this thread, are enormous. Get out there and LIVE!

Holly,

You've said a lot here and in my more limited experience, this is really true. The more we accept ourselves and become increasingly comfortable "getting out there and living", the more others will realize that we really are people like everyone else .. well, more or less!

Thanks again for starting this post.

Claire

[jillleanne]

How wonderful. It's such a great feeling to feel totally accepted with pure and innocent sincereity.