"Pretty IS as Pretty DOES"

I can't tell you 

how many times

I have been told, 

"Pretty IS as Pretty DOES!"

Well, that had to mean

that I surely wasn't 

the "Pretty IS,"

because I couldn't do, 

the "Pretty DOES."

Before beating the crap out of me, 

Mama would say, 

"You always think you have to have the last word."

In the middle of the first pop,

I'd start to say something

and she'd say,

"See, what I'm telling you."

I mean, what can be wrong with

explaining the why of what 

I was saying

or DOING.

So, I always tried to find the "pretty,"

and never did.

The world, our parents, mean girls-

everywhere we go

we find ourselves wishing for

someone to make us feel pretty.

No, this is not my daughter.

But she could pass for mine.

It's my niece before her

FIRST AND ONLY

pageant.

She's my spittin' image-

inside and out!

My sister said, 

"How did I get YOU, and you got ME."

My daughter is just like my sister (sweet and mild-mannered), 

my niece just like me (strong-willed and bossy)!

Look at that wrinkled brow!

When she's having a fit, 

they say, 

"She's having a Bonnie-fit."

I think she's beautiful, 

fits and all!

I wish I had gotten that message.

Who can resist that smile?

:)

Oh, the pains we go through

to "feel" beautiful.

We turn this way...

and that way

to try to catch a glimpse of our true beauty.

We put on pretty dresses

and parade up and down...

and turn around, 

hoping to win a prize that will 

validate our beauty,

our worth.

We compare ourselves

with others

in an attempt to find worth.

When each one of us is beautiful-

as the song says-

in her own way.

Take away all the glitz and glamour,

add a smile

SHE IS still BEAUTIFUL!

Mandisa says it this way

in True Beauty, 

It doesn't come in a bottle, doesn't come in a box,

You can't spray it on, can't wash it off,

You can't nip and tuck, you can't sew it up,

So, don't waste your time.

It's the love in your heart, the peace in your soul,

The hope in your smile, let's the whole world know...

Your True Beauty!

Wish I had gotten this message years ago!

Maybe it's not too late to believe...

You are Beautiful!

Bonnie:)